Happy July - Thank you for reading!
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Happy Summer!
High school students may be off, but there's still a lot happening at MTB.
New Leader Training is currently underway as nine of our former Passaic High School Fellows transition into the role of College Student Leaders.
Meanwhile, the MTB Summer Program for rising high school seniors is underway. Across July and August, our rising students are preparing for the college and financial aid application processes and learning more about their options and choices. Students will earn a stipend of up to $250 for completing this work! ✨
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| MTB is welcoming new social work interns Raven, Dhymond, Anamaria, and Viridiana! Continue reading to learn more about them. | |
Hi everyone! My name is Raven, and I am currently pursuing my Master of Social Work at Fairleigh Dickinson University. As a first-generation student myself, I am excited to join More Than Bootstraps as a social work intern and become part of a community that is dedicated to supporting students as they navigate the process of obtaining a higher education.
My passion for social work comes from a desire to help people recognize their strengths, overcome challenges, and reach their goals. Through my work in mental health, I have seen how important support, encouragement, and positive relationships can be.
As I begin my internship, I am looking forward to learning from students, families and the MTB team while continuing to grow as a future social worker.
A few fun facts about me are that I enjoy kayaking, climbing trees, and spending all of my free time outdoors. I am grateful to be a part of the MTB community and excited for this experience!
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Hello, my name is Dhymond, and I am currently a first-year Master of Social Work student at Rutgers University. My passion for social justice and advocacy inspired me to pursue a career in social work, with a particular focus on addressing the marginalization and systemic oppression experienced by Black and Brown communities. Through my education and field experiences, I hope to continue developing the skills necessary to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and promote equitable opportunities for all.
I am excited to join MTB because of its commitment to educational access, mentorship, and supporting students and families in achieving their goals. As someone who values community engagement and youth development, I look forward to working with students and their families, learning from them, and contributing to a program that is designed to help young people thrive academically and personally.
Furthermore, my experiences and values closely align with MTB’s mission of creating pathways to success through peer mentorship, family engagement, and self-care. I am especially eager to build meaningful relationships with students, support their growth, and deepen my understanding of community-based social work practice in the education sector.
Outside of social work, I enjoy going on long walks, traveling, trying new foods, and spending time with family and friends. A fun fact about me is that I have traveled to 10 countries so far!
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My name is Anamaria, but you can call me Annie. I am currently a Master of Social Work student at Rutgers University. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and I have always been passionate about supporting children, families, and communities.
I decided to pursue social work because I enjoy helping others navigate challenges and reach their goals. I feel a strong connection to More Than Bootstraps’ mission because I believe that mentorship, education, and access to opportunities can make a meaningful difference in a person’s life.
Through this internship, I am excited to learn more about working with students and families, strengthen my professional skills, and contribute to the important work MTB does in the community. I look forward to building relationships with students, families, Leaders, Fellows, and the entire MTB team.
A little about me: I am originally from Colombia, and I am the proud mother of a 5-year-old son. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with my family. One of my favorite things to do is take my son to parks, playgrounds, and family activities where we can have fun and create special memories together.
I am grateful for this opportunity and excited to be part of the More Than Bootstraps community!
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Hi everyone! My name is Viridiana, but you can call me Viri, and I am currently pursuing my Master's in Social Work at Rutgers University. I obtained my Bachelor's Degree in Child Advocacy and Policy from Montclair State University. As a first-generation student, I am excited to join More Than Bootstraps because I would like to provide support and guidance to students who are also first in their family to obtain a higher education.
My passion for the social work field comes from being an immigrant myself and knowing that support is needed, especially when it comes to mental health and navigating new challenges. Through this internship, I am looking forward to getting to know the students, families, Leaders, and the MTB team, and I hope to support students in feeling encouraged, understood, and connected.
A few fun facts about me are that I enjoy reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and I have a 2-month-old baby. I am grateful to be part of MTB and excited for the year ahead!
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| New Program Resource Fellows | | |
Nelsie Abreu (Montclair State University, 2027), Sherly Luna (Drew University, 2027), and Parth Rana (Princeton University, 2027), all rising college seniors, have taken on the role of Program Resource Fellow. They are spearheading the MTB Summer Training Program for new and returning College Student Leaders and the MTB Summer Program for rising senior High School Fellows. They will continue to take on new responsibilities within MTB over the upcoming year.
Ayana Goodwin, MSW (Montclair State University, MAT 2027) is continuing to serve as a Program Resource Fellow for MTB's new site in Plainfield. Ayana is working with MTB's new Plainfield Leaders this summer and will continue to do so over the year ahead.
Joanny (Jo) Iniguez, LSW (Passaic Post-Graduate Fellow) is leading MTB's wellness initiatives and overseeing our team of MTB Social Work Interns in both Plainfield and Passaic.
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The Social Work Interns would love the opportunity to speak briefly with your family about More Than Bootstraps. The purpose of this conversation is to learn how the program has been supporting you, gather your family's feedback, and answer any questions they may have.
Beginning Monday, July 20, we will be reaching out to families through WhatsApp and by email or text message to schedule a brief conversation.
Meetings will take place between July 20 and August 3 and will be scheduled based on your family's availability. Conversations can be held by text, phone call, FaceTime, or Zoom, and can be conducted in English or Spanish. If your family would prefer to speak in Gujarati, please let Audrey know so we can make those arrangements (audrey@morethanbootstraps.org, 908-397-0893).
While participation is completely optional, these conversations are incredibly valuable in helping us better support you and your family.
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| There's no such thing as a stupid question. Ask anything and everything by going to this form. Don't be shy! Ask a question » | | Question: What happens next? | | Shortly, we will welcome 26 new MTB Passaic High School Fellows and 10 new Plainfield High School Fellows. We can't wait! | | Follow MTB on Social Media! | | | | |
