This blog post comes to you from AFF Founder and Co-Director Nick Ascienzo.
Earlier this month, I was a panelist at an event conducted by one of the AFF’s grantees, LearnServe. LearnServe empowers young adults from diverse backgrounds to take on social challenges with an “entrepreneurial vision”, providing them with the necessary support to move their vision forward.
Specifically, the LearnServe Change Fest in early March was the culmination of seven months of planning on the part of the organization’s Fellows which I had the honor to attend and participate in by evaluating a few Fellows’ proposals. What a delight to listen to three passionate presentations on climate change action, financial literacy, and leadership development from two DC students and one from Ecuador - the first international Fellow to present in LearServe’s history. No doubt the many other Fellows who presented that day to other panelists in other groups were just as excited, knowledgeable, and well spoken as those I heard - A credit to the many hours of research and networking the Fellows spent on their projects, as well as the guidance, both social and technical, from LearnServe staff.
AFF’s connection to LearnServe is a direct result of AFF Director Ali Fraenkel’s advocacy in March of 2021. Ali sits on their Growth Council - a group of professionals amplifying LearnServe’s work - and sponsored an AFF grant of $20,000 for a full-time Student Success Coordinator. Recently Scott Rechler, Co-Director and CEO, sent this report along, from focus group reflections with Fellows this past week:
"I absolutely loved Latrina's support. Her sessions were so helpful. My school counselor doesn't do anything like that. She is so easy to talk to. It's such a comforting space. She extended resources outside our projects. I love it and I think you should do it every single year and Latrina should be the person in that role."
We’re proud of our partnership with LearnServe and its impact in creating a space for young minds to change the world!