Proof Positive

“Four years ago, a group of 40 high school seniors from low-income backgrounds received the State Farm Scholarship at Georgia State’s Perimeter College. For many, it was the only way they could go to college. Now, they’re earning degrees at remarkably high rates, demonstrating that, with the right support, all students can graduate." ~ Read the full story from GSU.

Georgia State University Perimeter College – Decatur created the Learning, Income and Family Transformation (LIFT) program in 2017 with the support of State Farm. The program aims to improve student success rates by combining data-driven academic advisement and support with scholarships, employment opportunities and leadership training.

The first of the State Farm Scholars are expected to graduate in the next three semesters at a rate of 85 percent – five times better than the university’s overall graduation rate. The support from State Farm for the LIFT program has likely transformed the lives of these students and their families.

“The State Farm Scholars’ journey over the past two years has been nothing short of inspirational,” says DeWayne Griffin, Enterprise Technology Executive – Data. “It’s a proud moment to witness them and their families’ excitement, as well as playing a part as an organization in helping them realize their post-secondary educational dreams come true.”

State Farm Education Assist, part of the Neighborhood of Good^®, provides funding for a series of full-ride scholarships for these State Farm Scholars. The program expands staff support, supports emergency grants to help students cover life’s necessities, funds a mentoring program and supports financial literacy programming for students and families in South DeKalb communities.

State Farm employees volunteer time and expertise to these programs and students through professional development and networking opportunities. State Farm agents provide internship opportunities.

“The GSU LIFT/Education Assist is a unique public-private partnership that has been and will continue to be instrumental in transforming lives and creating a path for upward economic mobility in South DeKalb County,” says Mark Robinson, Philanthropy analyst. “The fact that education is the driver of this work is absolutely consistent with who we are as an organization.”

The LIFT program will be scaled to each of Perimeter College’s campuses this academic year because of the success at the Perimeter College – Decatur Campus.

The Goldman “Goldie” Barefield Scholarship is given to deserving students from Sweetwater High School in Sweetwater, Tenn., who plan to attend Tennessee Wesleyan University. Throughout the previous six years the scholarship has impacted 22 students with gifts totaling $58,100.

As a State Farm^® agent, Pamela understands the value of investing in her community. “This is a rural community, and I want to try to help as many young people to stay here as possible,” she says. “The biggest challenge is keeping talented youth here.”

For 2015 scholarship recipient Haley Tuck, the scholarship made her dream possible. With a severely disabled father and absent mother, Haley spent much of four years in high school in ways that most students don’t: grocery shopping, planning doctors’ appointments, helping her father and cleaning the house. She dreamed of attending nearby Tennessee Wesleyan University so she could stay home to take care of her family.

“I volunteered in local school systems half of each day during my senior year,” says Haley. “I also established my own business, Haley’s Embroidery and Sewing, and sold handmade clothes and monogrammed items through a Facebook marketplace.”

She put the money toward her tuition deposit, and she also received an academic scholarship from the university. But she knew she would need more.

Pamela’s generosity provided the additional help she needed.

“The $5,000 scholarship I received helped me to pay for the remainder of my tuition. With that extra push, I was able to graduate debt-free in three years with a bachelor’s degree in special education,” Haley says.

The 2018 graduate recently accepted a job as the special education teacher at nearby Philadelphia Elementary School. She’ll also be working on an online master’s degree from Liberty University in teaching, with an emphasis in leadership.

Thus, the scholarship has allowed two pairs of fathers and daughters to realize their dreams and positively impact their community.

“With my family on such a low income and Tennessee Wesleyan being so expensive, I tried to get every form of help I could get because going there had been my dream throughout high school,” Hayley says. “I wanted nothing more than to make my dad proud, and I knew that pursuing my dreams would make him happier than ever.”

Fleurianne Debe just started her senior year of high school, but unlike most students her age - she already graduated.

Instead, on July 20, 2017, the 17-year-old celebrated her graduation, and an educational milestone, with the Girls Who Code and State Farm Insurance.

“It's awesome,” said Fleurianne. “I learned about science, technology engineering and math. My mom told me about this special program and I enrolled because I’m really into gaming. It was right up my alley!”

Girls Who Code (GWC), is a national nonprofit organization working to close the gender gap in technology. Its summer immersion program helps young women like Fleurianne develop their STEM skills.

“Technology is changing everything about the way we live and work,” said Girls Who Code Founder and CEO, Reshma Saujani. “Computing jobs are some of the fastest-growing and highest paying in our country, yet girls continue to get left behind. Access to a computer science education can bring women into a thriving innovation economy.”

The Journey Begins

Fleurianne, along with 19 students, took part in the summer GWC program in Atlanta, Georgia. Hosted by State Farm, the seven-week course helps teens develop their technological skills, learn about STEM careers and meet with women working in the tech industry.

“The chance to be mentored by these professionals meant a lot to me. This entire experience helped my self-confidence grow,” smiled Fleurianne. “I discovered so much about systems, IT and coding.”

Throughout the summer, students also learned how to construct webpages, build apps, develop a social media network and even work with robots.

“I loved the hands-on tech exposure,” smiled Fleurianne. “Now, I can code. And the best part? Now I can show other girls how to do it too.”

Program Instructors like Kat Graff say this year’s GWC participants demonstrated teamwork and a commitment to excellence.

“When they arrived on the State Farm campus, many of them didn’t have any coding experience. But you’d never know that now. I’m confident great things lie ahead for these young women.”

For companies like State Farm, it’s a chance to deliver on the company’s commitment to empowering communities. “We make significant contributions to STEM education and women in technology efforts at the company level,” said State Farm IT Senior Vice President Sandy Arnold. “This program had an even bigger impact because our State Farm employees personally invested in these students. Seeing the positive results first-hand was so inspiring.”

The Adventure Continues

“I learned anything is possible if I put my mind to it,” said Fleurianne. “Because of GWC, I want to pursue a computer science degree in college.”

Before then, she needs to complete her senior year. But Fleurianne plans to take Girls Who Code with her.

“I want to create a Girls Who Code club at my high school,” she explained. “Being a young woman who is interested in technology makes me feel like I’m breaking boundaries, and that’s really cool. Now, I want to help others like me do the same thing.”

As for her long term goal? Being part of the good neighbor community could be in sight.

“When the time comes, I’d love to be a State Farm intern,” said Fleurianne. “I want to continue building my knowledge and creativity. Thanks to GWC, my journey has just begun!”

State Farm is a financial supporter of Girls Who Code and its commitment to STEM education. To learn more about its programs and ways to get involved, click here. Interested in learning about STEM partnerships in Atlanta, Georgia? Contact State Farm IT Analyst, Katrina Torres (katrina.r.torres.phbi@statefarm.com).

GWC Graduation Recap

State Farm associate Jerome Maddox works with the students to provide financial education and mentoring. Jerome talks to the youth about budgeting, saving, and credit. This is in attempts to break the cycle of poverty. He provides the classes education, knowledge, and strength to succeed.

If you asked Kevin Watkins one word he would use to describe himself five years ago, he would say “shy”.

When Kevin met his “Big Brother”, State Farm Auto Estimatics Inspector, Tom Headley, he was 14 years old. The then 8th grader, was a self-described tall, skinny kid…and very shy.

In 2009, a State Farm office in Newark, OH launched “State Farm Diplomats” in partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Licking and Perry Counties. Employees became “Big Brothers” to middle-school aged children, maintaining the relationship until the “Little” graduated from high school.

Tom was quick to volunteer. Fast forward five years, and Kevin recently graduated high school and completed a certificate in Firefighting/Emergency Medical Services!

First Impressions and Life Lessons

At first, Kevin and Tom, would walk around town or go out to eat. Over time, Tom introduced Kevin to different environments. Kevin recalls going to the Amish country and being introduced to the “motorcycle community.”

When Kevin expressed an interest in purchasing a bicycle that was well out of his price range, Tom used the opportunity to help Kevin research options. He then put Kevin to work, cutting a lot of grass, to pay for his bike. Tom paid for the bike, but Kevin worked to pay for it.

As Kevin puts it, “Two of Tom’s favorite saying are ‘Listen to me boy when I’m a talkin’ to ya” and ‘ya gotta work for what ya get’.”

Kevin is no stranger to hard work. Throughout high school, he worked on a farm, caring for more than 200 dairy cattle. Kevin also earned his helicopter landing license, he is a Jr. Firefighter with the Newton Township Fire Department), and he is certified in CPR and First Aid.

Kevin now works at Bayer in the Fabrication and Welding area. He is currently working to earn his Welding Certification. All those years of sanding doors, cutting grass and milking cows have led to a hands-on career, and as Kevin says, “give me something to put my hands on and I’ll do it.”

A Match Made In…Newark

Tom and his wife, Tina, fully embrace the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, even though things didn’t always go according to plan. As Kevin got older, his work schedule got busier. It became more and more challenging to connect with his Big Brother.

According to Tara Shannon, Match Support Specialist with Big Brother/ Big Sister, “we were going to close the match.” Tom dug in his heels and refused to let this happen, insisting they keep the match open.

It’s A Family Affair

Tom and Tina made the Big Brother/Little Brother experience a family affair. When the couple couldn’t attend Kevin’s high school graduation party, Tina’s parents went instead..

Without Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Kevin says his life would have taken a different course.

“I would have hung with a different crowd, and probably wouldn’t have graduated,” Kevin shared.

He could very easily have made the decision to drop out of school to work, but Tom and Tina wouldn’t let that happen. With their encouragement, Kevin stayed in school.

Tom told Kevin, “You have to stay in school and graduate if you ever want to make anything of your life.”

Paying It Forward

Even though the formal aspect of Tom and Kevin’s match has ended, their relationship continues. Following in Tom’s footsteps, Kevin is now a Big Brother to a six-year-old named Jackson.

Remaining involved with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, Tom and Tina matched with Jackson’s younger brother Gabe. A third brother, nine-year-old Ayden, also has a Big Brother, and when his big can’t make it to events and activities, Tina steps in.

Most recently, this lively group participated in the Annual Miniature Indoor Golf Open challenge which raises money for the local Red Cross disaster relief efforts. The boys and their “Bigs” spent the afternoon putting around the course.

What began six years ago as a way to encourage a young man to stay in school and graduate has grown into something that will change the life of not one, but four young people forever.

Guadalupe Rogel knows the meaning of determination and hard work. As a first generation Mexican American, she prepares to enter her first year of college at Columbia University in New York. With an unwavering determination and a little bit of help, Guadalupe is ready to make her mark.

If you ask Guadalupe, she will tell you ther future could have been very different if it were not for her experience with Esperanza’s Hispanic Youth Leadership Program (HYLP). At 15, she and a friend joined HYLP after attending a meeting as ‘an innocent way to pass the time’.

“Beyond the great academic opportunities they offer, including Saturday Academy and tutoring, HYLP has helped me believe in myself and aspire to dream big despite my humble upbringing,” says Guadalupe. “Today, I find myself faced with many blessings, many of which could not have been possible without Esperanza and its programs. They have nurtured me since I began high school, introduced me to other great community organizations I am now a part of, and impacted my educational and personal aspirations.”

Jesus Sanchez, Director of Programs at Esperanza, was an Esperanza scholarship recipient in 2000. Esperanza was able to help him earn a college degree and a Masters in Biology. Now, he is working and raising his family in the Cleveland area.

Esperanza was a life changing experience for Jesus. “It helped me afford the opportunity to go to college and get a higher education. Just going through the process at Esperanza, because it is targeted at Latinos, helped me be more aware and fit in as an individual as well as into the larger Ethnic group,” he said.

Victor Ruiz, Executive Director of Esperanza is dedicated to the success of Hispanic youth in their educational pursuits. “I’m passionate about education and how education is a way out of poverty for people. This organization focuses on education and ensuring that inner city students have access to a quality education,” says Ruiz.

Guadalupe received several acceptance letters from Ivy League institutions, but ultimately decided to pursue a degree at Columbia. As the first to attend college and the oldest of four siblings, her family has inspired her to reach her education goals.

“My parents immigrated to the United States when they were very young, and consequently, didn’t finish high school,” she begins, “They came here with the desire to work and provide us with the opportunity to achieve the American Dream unattainable to them. I am committed to take full advantage of the opportunity they, like many other Hispanic families, sacrificed for.”

After college, Guadalupe plans to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector; an inspiration from Esperanza. Guadalupe understands the lack of encouragement and incentives given to low income first generation students to follow their dreams. She hopes to use her experience and education to positively impact students’ futures in underserved communities the way Esperanza has done for so many students.