Dear Donors and Advocates,

It's been an amazing year at MTB. We couldn't be more excited to share our latest updates with you!

But before we share all the good news, let me share a reminder of what makes our work so important right now. Here is an excerpt from the MTB application of a current sophomore:

"I want to share a challenge I faced recently. In December, my parents were taken by ICE while they were on their way to pick me up from [a school activity]. They were gone for 3 weeks, and it was a really scary and stressful time for my family. I had to step up a lot at home because I'm the older sister to two younger kids. I had to take care of them, and I also had to help my aunts and uncles collect all the paperwork our lawyer needed to help get my parents out. Even though I was the one keeping track of that information and handling all that pressure, I still tried my best to keep up with my schoolwork. This experience made me even more sure that I want to go to college and succeed. I think a program like More Than Bootstraps would be great for me because I value having a support system when things get hard."

This student was admitted to MTB, and we know we can help her achieve the educational goals that will be critical to her own and her family's future.

Demand for our program well outpaces our funding. Help us support more students!

✨ Please consider a donation today! ✨

Over the last two years, our high school students have been mentored by their older peers, College Student Leaders, from Passaic. With the help of their “near-peer” mentors, these thirteen graduating Fellows gained confidence, communication, and leadership skills; navigated the world of college applications, financial aid, and scholarships; and communicated their goals to their families.

• Xzavier Aguilar, Ramapo College
• Jonathan Guevara Bautista, Penn State (not pictured)
• Savanna Saphire Diaz, Caldwell University
• Andrea Herrera, Ramapo College
• Gabriel M. Hurtado, Passaic County Community College
• Guadalupe Mariano Jimenez, NJIT
• Ariakna Robynn Miranda, Caldwell University
• Kaylee Nicole Pina, Ramapo College
• Dhruvi Matishkumar Rana, Rutgers, New Brunswick
• Pearl Rana, Seton Hall University
• Pablo Tiro, Passaic County Community College (not pictured)
• Xavier Vargas, Aviation Institute of Maintenance
• Juan Vega, NJIT

MTB congratulates all 13 of our graduating high school seniors on the hard work that has culminated in these impressive college commitments.

Ashley began her time at MTB in September 2020 as a member of the first cohort of Passaic High School Fellows. She was also the first Fellow to transition into the role of College Student Leader. Manan joined MTB as a College Student Leader in his sophomore year of college. After mentoring their younger high school peers, both took on the role of Program Resource Fellow for 2025-2026, helping to lead MTB and support all the students in the program.

After only three and a half years, Ashley and Manan are both proud first-generation college graduates. They both also graduated summa cum laude. Manan is working at Epic in Wisconsin, and Ashley is working at IACO in Plainfield.

Adja, Fernando, Jessica, Kalista, and Nikitha, all first-generation college students and graduates of Plainfield High School, have spent the last semester shadowing their Passaic peers and are currently recruiting and helping to select the inaugural cohort of Plainfield High School Fellows.