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HAPPY SUMMER and welcome to our September 2020 edition of our online newsletter (LAP) The Learning Academy Post
Today is our fifth anniversary!! We are extremely fortunate to spend the last five years serving youth and adult members of our community through mentorship, tutoring, and a host of our other services. While we take pride in the work of our organization, we couldn't have done it without our supporters. For you, we are thankful. Here's to five more years of mentoring impact!
Success Story: Destynn McClaine
DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. extends our sincerest congratulations to our long-time mentee Destynn McClaine for matriculating to Mansfield University as part of the Class of 2024. 
 
McClaine was a mentee at DonCARES for the 2019-2020 school year and matched with then DonCARES Mentor Aaron Williams. Earning our January 2020 Mentee of the Month Award, McClaine believes wholeheartedly in the power of education. 
 
DonCARES Executive Director Donovan Forrest refers to McClaine as: "a hard worker, intelligent, and a joy to be around." In an Instagram post where DonCARES celebrated McClaine's accomplishment, he responded to DonCARES: "Thank you!!" 
Mentee of the Month: Jay Acevedo
Jay Acevedo is recognized as the August 2020 DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. Mentee of the Month. Acevedo was selected because of his commitment to his education and his perseverance in dealing with life's challenges. Acevedo is currently a rising Senior at The U School and has been a member of DonCARES of Philadelphia, Inc. since October 2017.
 
DonCARES Executive Director Donovan Forrest met Acevedo after a Man Up Discussion at The U School in October 2017. Forrest taught Acevedo how to tie a necktie and the rest is history. Since being involved in DonCARES, Acevedo has attended numerous programs centered around entrepreneurship development, resume development, interviewing, and has even been able to land several roles as an actor in the greater Philadelphia community. 
 
Currently, Acevedo is working on getting his real-estate license and is getting his land-lording permit. Forrest and Acevedo's teachers at The U School are proud of him and all of his accomplishments. 
 
DonCARES Black History Corner:
Dr. Marcus Foster
Dr. Marcus Foster was an educator and graduate of Cheyney University and UPenn who gained national prominence for educational excellence while serving as a principal at Dunbar Elementary School, O.V. Catto School for Boys, and Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, PA.

During his educational career in Philadelphia, Foster also served as Associate Superintendent for Community Relations. Foster moved to Oakland, CA in 1970 to serve as the first black superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District.

Foster was assassinated in November 1973, by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army. The SLA claimed they murdered Foster because of his alleged support of a plan to create a student identification card system in Oakland whose goal was to keep non-student drug-dealers off campus.



To read more of our DonCARES Black History Corners visit our social media pages and search the hashtag: #doncaresblackhistorycorner
“When you are deciding on the next steps, next jobs, next careers, further education, you should rather find purpose than a job or a career. Purpose crosses disciplines. Purpose is an essential element of you.”

-Chadwick Boseman