June 2024 Newsletter

In the News

Freedom House awarded $12,500 the?Summer Fund

Freedom House was awarded two grants totaling $12,500 grant from the Summer Fund. These grants will support our Summer Learning Institute program, a 7-week post-secondary preparation program for high school scholars that provides youth employment, mental health services, and professional networking.

Freedom House awarded $30,000 grant from the Cummings Foundation

Freedom House was awarded a $30,000 grant by the Cummings Foundation as part of its Make a Difference Dollars (MAD$) program. This grant will support increasing staffing capacity and crucial facility upgrades at Freedom House.

Scholar Soundbite

"Freedom House helped me developed patience to endure the real world outside of high school. I aspire to be a leader for the youth in the urban community that I currently reside in. I want to show others in Dorchester that there are ways of being productive and being successful if we just apply ourselves and obtain access to better resources."

What's Happening at the House?

Freedom House welcomes new staff member

Freedom House welcomed Quenay Joseph to Freedom House as Manager, Data & Evaluation. Quenay is an alumnus and started her journey with Freedom House in 2012! Read more about?Quenay .

Freedom House Celebrates Family!

Freedom House hosted a special photoshoot to honor our students’ mothers and mother figures in celebration of Mother’s Day. Families joined us to create cherished memories. Stay tuned for our Father’s Day photoshoot on June 13th!

Freedom House Junior Coaches conclude program with MIT Solveathon and NBA Foundation

Junior Coaches who took part in the Solveathon, with the NBA Foundation and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, took part in a series of monthly group sessions with local and global entrepreneurs. Our students were provided the opportunity to access tips and information on developing ideas and creating strategies for success. This month, our students attended the final meetup, where all of the organizations from Boston were able to hear from different entrepreneurs, globally and locally, about?their projects, ideas, and inventions.

PUSH College celebrates strong 23/24 school year

Spring of 2024 was another successful semester; 90% of our college students passed all their classes, and we are currently recruiting for a new cohort of students to begin in the Fall.

PUSH Leadership Institute Finale

Our scholars participating in our PUSH Leadership Institute have completed their program as of May 31st, 2024. Over the past four months, they engaged in workshops focusing on professionalism, post-secondary planning, financial literacy, and mental wellness. Check out pictures below from our End-of-Year Celebration!

Congratulations to our 2024 Graduates!

Congratulations to our four college graduates who have successfully completed a very important milestone in their academic pathway. One of our students, who originally had no interest in college, graduated from Suffolk University, and will be attending grad school in the Fall ‘24 semester! Congratulations to Rosali Resende (Bunker Hill Community College), Walter Depina (University of Massachusetts Boston), Caleb Cole (Benjamin Franklin Cummings Tech), and Iverson Mella (Suffolk University).

CEO Corner

Celebrating Milestones

June will undoubtedly be a memorable month as our scholars conclude an unforgettable school year. Throughout the year, they have gained deeper insights into themselves, each other, and their goals while honing the leadership skills essential for success after graduation. They have bravely navigated numerous challenges, including fear, anxiety, depression, isolation, and bullying, amidst a world filled with uncertainty.

We celebrate their present achievements and their promising futures because we know that at Freedom House, we are cultivating leaders who will inspire and give back to the world.

In just a few weeks, we will launch our 7-week Summer Learning Institute! I am thrilled to welcome scholars from over 15 Boston Public Schools and collaborate with our dedicated staff and amazing partners to share best practices with our youth. For the past 15 years, the SLI has been one of our cornerstone programs, supporting youth ages 14-24. Spots are filling up quickly, so if you would like to learn more about our Summer Learning Institute, please contact our Director, Ashley Harton-Powell, at [email protected] .

This month, we also want to highlight Father’s Day and encourage our readers to celebrate their fathers and father figures every day.

As we step into the summer months, we remind our readers to stay safe and have fun. Enjoy the warmth and sunshine, take care of yourselves, and make the most of this wonderful season.

Community Corner

Community Corner features stories and important updates from leaders across the Freedom House community.

MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

Abdirahman Abdulle

Technical Support Specialist, HarbourVest Partners

?

Introduce yourself to our community!

My name is Abdirahman Abdulle. I hold a degree in Information Technology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. Currently, I serve as a Technical Support Specialist at a financial firm. I’m fluent in three different languages.

What are you most passionate about?

Technology fascinates me, and I appreciate the intricate connections it fosters. Moreover, I have a special fondness for coffee.

How did you get connected to Freedom House?

My involvement with Freedom House began through the Push High School program, where I became a student. Throughout college, I continued my association with Freedom House as a work-study student, eventually graduating from high school and college. After that, I became a Freedom House alumnus.

Why were you interested in being a board member?

My goal is to contribute positively and make a meaningful impact in my community. The motto of Freedom House is to, "inspire, graduate, and give back," resonates with me deeply. This opportunity to give back is a personal endeavor that aligns with my commitment to service.

What do you envision for the future of Freedom House?

Looking ahead, I see Freedom House as the incubator for future young CEOs, continuing to build on the legacy established by those who came before us. I believe that my commitment is to fostering this vision and supporting the next generation of leaders emerging from Freedom House.

What would you tell a potential board member?

As an alumnus, I have witnessed the transformative impact of Freedom House's work in the neighborhoods. The organization is dedicated to empowering youth to participate actively in their communities and support others. It is an honor and a pleasure to be part of this organization, even in my capacity as a board member.

Fun Fact Question: What is your favorite place in the world?

As for my favorite place in the world, it would undoubtedly be Nairobi, Kenya. The vibrant culture and diverse landscapes. The unique atmosphere makes it a special and cherished destination for me to call home.

Mark Your Calendar

October 10, 2024: 22nd Annual Champions of Freedom (Save the Date )

Join our Giving Societies

Your support is critical to our work providing holistic and youth development-centered programming and services that enable underrepresented students to overcome barriers to post-secondary success. Give Today .

75th Anniversary Artifact Project

In anticipation of Freedom House's 75th Anniversary in 2024, Freedom House has launched an ambitious initiative, The Artifact Project, aimed at gathering stories and reflections from individuals within our community whose lives have been shaped by Freedom House or who have substantially impacted our organization. All are welcome to participate! If you would like to participate in the Artifact Project, sign up here .