Volunteer Story: Rafaelito Sy

Volunteering for First Graduate® has given me an avenue to impart my passion for writing and storytelling to today’s youth. As an essay coach, I was paired with a young woman from the Philippines, who had turned financial struggles and a dysfunctional relationship with her paternal grandmother into fuel for growth and success. The happiness she expressed because of my help in articulating her story was personally rewarding; I brought her that much closer to her goal of higher education.

As a volunteer in the marketing department, I presently edit profiles of FG alumni for the Alumni Spotlight Project. The journey of every alumni – the will and determination each one possesses despite the odds – is impressive. They all have stories worth telling, stories that instill in us faith in the future, no matter our age. Being a conduit for their voices validates my purpose as a writer.           

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At First Graduate, we decry anti-Semitism and Islamophobia at our schools, college campuses, and in our communities. Our organization centers around providing access to quality education for everyone. We must stand with all who acknowledge and respect the humanity in each of us. We are one species. In this divisive moment, we implore you to