FCA Hosts 36th Annual Scholarship Fund Breakfast for LI Scholars

Pictured from L-R: Scholarship recipients Osatohanmwen Irowa (Stony Brook University), Catherine Maltez (Stony Brook University), Frank Palma Gomez (Queens College), Bairon Reyes Luna (Yale University), 2021 Champion of Change honoree and former New York Jet Erik Coleman, Stephanie Chevez (Harvard University), FCA Program Director Donna Raphael, Andrew J. Culbreath (Five Towns College), David Fongyee (New York Institute of Technology), Melva O. Morales Sierra (Hofstra University), Samson Fashakin (Farmingdale State College), Estefany Sorto (Binghamton University), Jonathan Carrera (Farmingdale State College), Camila Flores (Nassau Community College).

On June 24, 2021, Garden City-based nonprofit FCA held the organization’s 36th annual Mission Moment Scholarship Fund Breakfast at Westbury Manor in Westbury, NY.

For over three decades, FCA's Mission Moment Scholarship Fund has aimed to guide local youth toward successful futures by enabling at-risk individuals to pursue higher education and improve their lives by matching them with donors. Nearly 50 college scholarships were awarded, raising a total of nearly $110,000 this year.

Scholarship recipients were given the opportunity to meet the donors who helped make their journey possible. The annual reception recognized the extraordinary achievements of scholarship winners, and the dedicated staff and donors who contribute to the program.

One of this year’s honorees, former New York Jet, Erik Coleman, shared inspiring words with the students and spoke about the importance of perseverance and never giving up.

Other speakers included Dr. Isma Chaudhry, Hon. Brianna A. Vaughan, Parvin. P., FCA Walkabout resident, and Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds, FCA President & CEO, all inspired a sense of motivation and optimism for the future amongst the students. The importance of hard work and determination combined with a strong support network or “village” like that which FCA provides were emphasized and ran a common thread amongst the powerful words of the featured presenters.

“We at FCA continue to be inspired by the generosity of our donors and tenacity of our students. The past year has been tough for Long Island's young people but raising more than $100,000 this morning means that the return to classrooms in September will be a little easier for many. It also means that we have set our scholars up for future success, which makes Long Island better for everyone”, commented Dr. Reynolds.

Donna Raphael, Senior Director, who oversees several youth programs at FCA and works alongside these young scholars often for several years commented, “The annual scholarship event inspires us all and allows Long Island students to accomplish their educational goals. The affirmation and commitment of our FCA staff also make this mission moment a success.”

Over the past 36 years, FCA’s Mission Moment Scholarship Fund has gifted over 1,500 scholarships worth more than $2,000,000 to students engaged with FCA’s programs and services. Scholarship recipients have attended schools including Stony Brook University, Harvard University, Hofstra University, Binghamton University, Nassau Community College, Columbia University, New York Institute of Technology, Farmingdale State College and many more!