"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." -Mother Teresa Starting as a young child, I always contemplated the suffering of the world. I knew that to feel happy and complete, I needed to help. I wanted it to be a way of life for me, not just an obligation. Through the years, I have found my passion and purpose through working with the neediest children. I began working with children on the autism spectrum. I did this for over 25 years. Recently, I have found my greatest purpose with two key roles: teaching English as a Second Language and organizing a food and supplies drive for families in need. These experiences have deepened my connection to the community and shaped my hopes for the future. As an ESL teacher, I have had the privilege of working with immigrants navigating life in an unfamiliar country. My parents immigrated to the United States from Portugal, and I relate to these families on a very personal level. I soon realized that teaching English was just one part of the job. My true role was advocating for and empowering individuals to find their voices, advocate for themselves and their families, and integrate successfully into society. I try to create, every day, an environment that is inclusive and celebrates different cultures. I've seen firsthand how a lesson on how to ask for help or fill out a job application can shift someone's sense of belonging. Watching a student beam with pride when they learn something new is beyond rewarding. It reminds me that language is a bridge to opportunity. Parallel to my work in education, I have also led food and supplies drives to meet the needs of immigrant families deeply affected by deportation policies. Many of my students work to help support their families, many of whom have only one parent or guardian. The idea began last January when more than half of my students' families had one or both parents taken by ICE. I noticed these students were struggling to access essential items like clothing, hygiene items, and food. What started as a small idea quickly grew into a coordinated effort by the school community. I collected donations and delivered them to all needy families within our community. Through my job and organizing the food and supplies drives, I've learned that leadership means listening to and observing the needs of others, adapting, and helping to lift each other up. I have deepened my skills in community involvement, empathy, and collaboration. These skills, I hope, not only to carry with me, but also to teach them to my students. This scholarship would support my continued education and allow me to continue to give back to my community. I hope to pursue a career where I am able to support myself and my children while continuing to serve as a bridge for those finding their way in a new world. Teaching and serving these families is not just a job; it's who I am. I am committed to using every opportunity to build the qualities of compassion, community, and giving back, not only within myself, but also in my students. Empowering both them and the community.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." -Mother Teresa Starting as a young child, I always contemplated the suffering of the world. I knew that to feel happy and complete, I needed to help. I wanted it to be a way of life for me, not just an obligation. Through the years, I have found my passion and purpose through working with the neediest children. I began working with children on the autism spectrum. I did this for over 25 years. Recently, I have found my greatest purpose with two key roles: teaching English as a Second Language and organizing a food and supplies drive for families in need. These experiences have deepened my connection to the community and shaped my hopes for the future. As an ESL teacher, I have had the privilege of working with immigrants navigating life in an unfamiliar country. My parents immigrated to the United States from Portugal, and I relate to these families on a very personal level. I soon realized that teaching English was just one part of the job. My true role was advocating for and empowering individuals to find their voices, advocate for themselves and their families, and integrate successfully into society. I try to create, every day, an environment that is inclusive and celebrates different cultures. I've seen firsthand how a lesson on how to ask for help or fill out a job application can shift someone's sense of belonging. Watching a student beam with pride when they learn something new is beyond rewarding. It reminds me that language is a bridge to opportunity. Parallel to my work in education, I have also led food and supplies drives to meet the needs of immigrant families deeply affected by deportation policies. Many of my students work to help support their families, many of whom have only one parent or guardian. The idea began last January when more than half of my students' families had one or both parents taken by ICE. I noticed these students were struggling to access essential items like clothing, hygiene items, and food. What started as a small idea quickly grew into a coordinated effort by the school community. I collected donations and delivered them to all needy families within our community. Through my job and organizing the food and supplies drives, I've learned that leadership means listening to and observing the needs of others, adapting, and helping to lift each other up. I have deepened my skills in community involvement, empathy, and collaboration. These skills, I hope, not only to carry with me, but also to teach them to my students. This scholarship would support my continued education and allow me to continue to give back to my community. I hope to pursue a career where I am able to support myself and my children while continuing to serve as a bridge for those finding their way in a new world. Teaching and serving these families is not just a job; it's who I am. I am committed to using every opportunity to build the qualities of compassion, community, and giving back, not only within myself, but also in my students. Empowering both them and the community.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." -Mother Teresa Starting as a young child, I always contemplated the suffering of the world. I knew that to feel happy and complete, I needed to help. I wanted it to be a way of life for me, not just an obligation. Through the years, I have found my passion and purpose through working with the neediest children. I began working with children on the autism spectrum. I did this for over 25 years. Recently, I have found my greatest purpose with two key roles: teaching English as a Second Language and organizing a food and supplies drive for families in need. These experiences have deepened my connection to the community and shaped my hopes for the future. As an ESL teacher, I have had the privilege of working with immigrants navigating life in an unfamiliar country. My parents immigrated to the United States from Portugal, and I relate to these families on a very personal level. I soon realized that teaching English was just one part of the job. My true role was advocating for and empowering individuals to find their voices, advocate for themselves and their families, and integrate successfully into society. I try to create, every day, an environment that is inclusive and celebrates different cultures. I've seen firsthand how a lesson on how to ask for help or fill out a job application can shift someone's sense of belonging. Watching a student beam with pride when they learn something new is beyond rewarding. It reminds me that language is a bridge to opportunity. Parallel to my work in education, I have also led food and supplies drives to meet the needs of immigrant families deeply affected by deportation policies. Many of my students work to help support their families, many of whom have only one parent or guardian. The idea began last January when more than half of my students' families had one or both parents taken by ICE. I noticed these students were struggling to access essential items like clothing, hygiene items, and food. What started as a small idea quickly grew into a coordinated effort by the school community. I collected donations and delivered them to all needy families within our community. Through my job and organizing the food and supplies drives, I've learned that leadership means listening to and observing the needs of others, adapting, and helping to lift each other up. I have deepened my skills in community involvement, empathy, and collaboration. These skills, I hope, not only to carry with me, but also to teach them to my students. This scholarship would support my continued education and allow me to continue to give back to my community. I hope to pursue a career where I am able to support myself and my children while continuing to serve as a bridge for those finding their way in a new world. Teaching and serving these families is not just a job; it's who I am. I am committed to using every opportunity to build the qualities of compassion, community, and giving back, not only within myself, but also in my students. Empowering both them and the community.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." -Mother Teresa My name is Karen Oleksyk. Without scholarships, I can not continue my studies at the UMass UWW program. I’m a 52-year-old mother of 2. I decided to complete my degree for a few reasons. Most importantly, for my kids. I want to show my children that it is never too late to follow their dreams. Starting as a young child, I always contemplated the suffering of the world. I knew that to feel happy and complete, I needed to help. I wanted it to be a way of life for me, not just an obligation. Through the years, I have found my passion and purpose through working with the neediest children. I began working with children on the autism spectrum. I did this for over 25 years. Recently, I have found my greatest purpose with two key roles: teaching English as a Second Language and organizing a food and supplies drive for families in need. These experiences have deepened my connection to the community and shaped my hopes for the future. As an ESL teacher, I have had the privilege of working with immigrants navigating life in an unfamiliar country. My parents immigrated to the United States from Portugal, and I relate to these families on a very personal level. I soon realized that teaching English was just one part of the job. My true role was advocating for and empowering individuals to find their voices, advocate for themselves and their families, and integrate successfully into society. I try to create, every day, an environment that is inclusive and celebrates different cultures. I've seen firsthand how a lesson on how to ask for help or fill out a job application can shift someone's sense of belonging. Watching a student beam with pride when they learn something new is beyond rewarding. It reminds me that language is a bridge to opportunity. Parallel to my work in education, I have also led food and supplies drives to meet the needs of immigrant families deeply affected by deportation policies. Many of my students work to help support their families, many of whom have only one parent or guardian. The idea began last January when more than half of my students' families had one or both parents taken by ICE. I noticed these students were struggling to access essential items like clothing, hygiene items, and food. What started as a small idea quickly grew into a coordinated effort by the school community. I collected donations and delivered them to all needy families within our community. Through my job and organizing the food and supplies drives, I've learned that leadership means listening to and observing the needs of others, adapting, and helping to lift each other up. I have deepened my skills in community involvement, empathy, and collaboration. These skills, I hope, not only to carry with me, but also to teach them to my students. This scholarship would support my continued education and allow me to continue to give back to my community. I hope to pursue a career where I am able to support myself and my children while continuing to serve as a bridge for those finding their way in a new world. Teaching and serving these families is not just a job; it's who I am. I am committed to using every opportunity to build the qualities of compassion, community, and giving back, not only within myself, but also in my students. Empowering both them and the community.

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." -Mother Teresa Starting as a young child, I always contemplated the suffering of the world. I knew that to feel happy and complete, I needed to help. I wanted it to be a way of life for me, not just an obligation. Through the years, I have found my passion and purpose through working with the neediest children. I began working with children on the autism spectrum. I did this for over 25 years. Recently, I have found my greatest purpose with two key roles: teaching English as a Second Language and organizing a food and supplies drive for families in need. These experiences have deepened my connection to the community and shaped my hopes for the future. As an ESL teacher, I have had the privilege of working with immigrants navigating life in an unfamiliar country. My parents immigrated to the United States from Portugal, and I relate to these families on a very personal level. I soon realized that teaching English was just one part of the job. My true role was advocating for and empowering individuals to find their voices, advocate for themselves and their families, and integrate successfully into society. I try to create, every day, an environment that is inclusive and celebrates different cultures. I've seen firsthand how a lesson on how to ask for help or fill out a job application can shift someone's sense of belonging. Watching a student beam with pride when they learn something new is beyond rewarding. It reminds me that language is a bridge to opportunity. Parallel to my work in education, I have also led food and supplies drives to meet the needs of immigrant families deeply affected by deportation policies. Many of my students work to help support their families, many of whom have only one parent or guardian. The idea began last January when more than half of my students' families had one or both parents taken by ICE. I noticed these students were struggling to access essential items like clothing, hygiene items, and food. What started as a small idea quickly grew into a coordinated effort by the school community. I collected donations and delivered them to all needy families within our community. Through my job and organizing the food and supplies drives, I've learned that leadership means listening to and observing the needs of others, adapting, and helping to lift each other up. I have deepened my skills in community involvement, empathy, and collaboration. These skills, I hope, not only to carry with me, but also to teach these skills to my students. This scholarship would support my continued education and allow me to continue to give back to my community. I hope to pursue a career where I am able to support myself and my children while continuing to serve as a bridge for those finding their way in a new world. Teaching and serving these families is not just a job; it's who I am. I am committed to using every opportunity to build the qualities of compassion, community, and giving back, not only within myself, but also in my students. Empowering both them and the community.