2022 End of the Year

As we end 2022, we wanted to thank everyone for their support throughout the year.  From simply enrolling us as their chosen charity on AMAZON Smile, which we raised a total of $129.49 this year or donating old sneakers for recycling with Got Sneakers raising $88.25.   Some joined us for our first "in person" NYCFC soccer game event raising $200  . Let us not forget "Giving Tuesday 2022" where we reached our $500 goal. We will receive a check from Network for Good in affiliation with Facebook in January 2023. Our very own board member, Fanny Mera, matched that fundraiser with a $500 donation.   There were also a number of generous individual donations. Without you we can not continue our work.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! 

From our families to yours, we wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous new year!  ~ SMBS Board Members & Scholars 

#GIVING TUESDAY 2022 - Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022

As the holidays are fast approaching most of us are getting decorations up as we preparing for a season of celebrations.  Many are taking advantage of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday.  We also have a day dedicated to charities #GIVING TUESDAY, where we can give to our favorite organizations.  We hope this year on Tuesday, November 29th, you choose to support the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship.   You can do so directly on Instagram or FaceBook's Network for Good or you can directly donate to us.   

After the pandemic, our organization has not held many "in person" fundraisers since 2019 as making big social events are not as easy to create or desired.   Some of our fundraising has relied on simple activities as donors choosing our organization as their AMAZON Smile charity, as well as a couple of sneaker recycling campaigns with GotSneakers.  We also continue to receive direct donations from people like you who are committed to our mission. 

Thank you in advance for the support over the years.  

We do look forward to creating new events in 2023 where we can all meet and enjoy each others' company while raising awareness of our work as well as raising funds.  

Have a wonderful holiday season! 

Donations can be made anytime at:
The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Inc. PO Box 370153 Brooklyn, New York 11237

2022 Scholar Updates

Faria Islam - S.M.B. Scholar 2018-2022

"I recently graduated from Columbia University this May with a major in Psychology and a Special Concentration in Women and Gender Studies. I was able to make this huge accomplishment due to the support I received from God, my family, and S.M.B.S. (especially Diana). Currently, I am a teaching fellow at Mentoring in Medicine, an organization that teaches and mentors elementary, middle, and high school about the medical field. However, I am looking for a job in clinical research and/or marketing. I appreciate all the support I received, and I am excited to embark on a new journey!"

We wanted to congratulate Faria on all her achievements.   It has been an honor to see her grow and fulfill her dreams.  Her success has truly made our S.M.B.S. family proud.   Much success Faria!!! 

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Darcelis Guiterrez - S.M.B. Scholar 2019-2023

"Hi, my name is Darcelis (Darcy) Gutierrez and I'm so grateful for my now fourth year of being an SMBS recipient! This past year has been a whirlwind. As I'm now entering my Senior year I have been working as a Game Design Teacher while attending NYU and it has been a wonderful experience. As I'm taking in what I learn in my classes I have been enriching my own knowledge to ultimately become a better educator for my students. Due to my educational efforts, I also have been working with AT&T to develop educational content and materials for their platform. I've been writing scripts and shooting videos with a team to create game design content that is accessible to a high school audience. This is something that I'm incredibly passionate about as information on game design and development is very hard to find in general, even in a post-secondary setting. I am so incredibly grateful to be part of these efforts, and if it weren't for SMBS I wouldn't have the means to attend NYU and gain these incredible opportunities." 

Elizabeth K - S.M.B. Scholar 2021-2025

"My name is Elizabeth Katayev. I am currently a second year student studying at Hofstra University. I am majoring in psychology and double minoring in marketing along with Russian and Post-Soviet studies. Throughout my first year I have been able to explore the many different aspects of psychology by attending in person and virtual events, such as guest lecturers speaking and professors lecturing outside of class. As a student living on campus, I took advantage of the abundance of opportunities to join campus life by participating in the Psychology Club and a volunteer based community service club. During my first year I joined a sorority. I went out for formal recruitment and became a part of the Phi Sigma Sigma sisterhood. While being at Hofstra University I am able to not only further my education, but also become a part of a community. I would not have been able to do this without the help of SMBS, so a great big thank you for helping me get here!"

Our organization wants to thank our wonderful scholars for maintaining contact with our board members and providing us with annual updates.   It continues to motivate us to do what we do to keep the scholarship program going.   WE are ALL proud of every single one of you and we are always eager to hear your next moves.  Good luck on this new academic year and in all you do!

2022 Scholar Selected - Joyce Lin

It is with great pleasure to announce our 2022 scholar recepient.  Joyce Lin, a graduate of Francis Lewis High School and entering freshmen this fall at Barnard College of Columbia University.

Here is a message from our newest scholar:

"Thank you so much for selecting me as the Stephanie Marie Burgos scholarship recipient! I am incredibly humbled and honored to be selected.  As the first female in my family to graduate from high school and pursue a college degree, I am beyond thankful for the Stephanie Marie Burgos team for enabling my college dreams. 

I would like to thank the Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship for empowering me on my journey to pursue a higher education.  Coming FGLI household and a single mother household, I understand the challenges and hurdles that face underprivileged and under-resourced students as they chase their higher education dreams.   I aspire to give back and become the grounding foundation for other students in the future and help them on their college dreams the same way the Stephanie Marie Burgos team has done through mentorship, liftlong learning, guidance, and financial support.  I am so beyond excited and am grateful to be a scholar part of this wonderful family.  I cannot wait to enact change alongside the Stephanie Marie Burgos team."

CONGRATULATIONS JOYCE & WELCOME TO OUR FAMILY!!! 

                     

Fast Approaching Scholarship Deadline - Friday, April 29, 2022

The beginning of 2020 was the start of difficult journey for our organization.   Aside from being unable to conduct any of our usual fundraising activities, we couldn't select our 2020 scholarship recipient due to pandemic not allowing the access to the student population we needed to make the selection.   Our applications went out right before the physical closures of the schools due to the state of our country and more specifically, our city who was hit very hard.

We vowed to make 2021 selection happen and we did it!   Changes in the distribution, via electronically, we were happily able to overcome the obstacles the pandemic posed.   Even though our pool of applications was not as large as in the past we pushed through.  

Now, we are here in 2022.  Things have not completely resumed to "normal" but our hopes remain high.  Instead of sending physical applications, we sent pamphlets with information on the organization and how to obtain an application via email.   This cut costs of printing and distribution. 

Please help us make this 2022 selection happen this year! If you know someone who is thinking of applying, encourage them to please send completed package to our mailing address below by Friday, April 29th.   This year, we will be accepting complete packages via email as well. 

Thank you and best of luck to all! 

The Stephanie Marie Burgos Scholarship Inc

P.O. Box 370153

Brooklyn, New York 11237

Email: SMBS2010@aol.com

Tax deductible donations are always accepted via check or money order made out to the organization. 

Victory ALL around - NYCFC Home Opener March 12, 2022

Going from two years of no physical fundraisers for our organization due to the pandemic to celebrating our favorite team's 2021 MLS Championship and first 2022 home win!!!  The icing on the cake was we raised a little bit of money for our organization.  It was not an extraordinary amount but it was a true overall WIN for all of us.   We literally braved the storm!!!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!!! Now, Recycle your unwanted old, used or new sneakers!

We are proud to announce our partnership with Got Sneakers, a sneaker recycling organization.  Our organization will be holding a series of events so we can collect your unwanted sneakers.   Once we send Got Sneakers your sneakers our organization receives a donation for every pair submitted.  Yes USED will be recycled making our carbon imprint less and our organization receives a donation.

Here are some words from Got Sneakers:

Today, we're sharing a few ways that you can help get your community involved with giving back to the planet.

While there is an increased focus on sustainable practices during this day, there are many ways you can make a difference all year long: 
 
• Take part in the Great Global Cleanup: Its mission is to remove billions of trash from neighborhoods, beaches, rivers, lakes, trails, and parks - reducing waste and plastic pollution, improving habits and preventing harm to wildlife and humans.  Check to see if there are any registered cleanups in your area (or feel free to start one on your own)!

• Create a suitable space for all members of the environment:  Projects such as building birdhouses through the National Audobon Society, not only promote unity and teamwork in the community but also help causes that protect our ecosystem such as bird endangerment.

• Invest and promote the use of sustainable fashion: A huge part of the sustainability  movement involves cutting down on synthetic fabrics and materials that are used in the production process. Research brands such as Allbirds, Adidas, Stella McCartney, Nike, and Reebok, that not only utilize fair trade practices but also involve themselves in the community through green initiatives.

• Start a sneaker recycling program: Most people throw away their used sneakers ever 125-200 days without ever thinking about recycling. Since most sneakers are not biodegradable they end up spreading  toxic chemicals into the air and soil when they are sent to a landfill and burned. Recycling them prevents this from happening, but you can't put them out in your regular recycling bin!

By partnering with GotSneakers, you will be able to easily initiate a sneaker recycling project in your community.  Since our launch, GotSneakers has stopped over 75 million pounds of CO2 from entering the air, while also recycling and reusing over 2 million pairs of pre-loved sneakers!

Thank you and HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!  Let us all do our part in SAVING our planet!