A note from Zakaria's Mentor, Cameron Houser:

Hi everyone, 

Thank you so much for taking a moment to watch Zak's movie and read his story!

For the last two years, Zak and I have been working together every Friday morning through the San Francisco Education Fund. I'm so impressed by Zak, and have seen him come into his own this last school year: he's improved his grades, taken on leadership roles in his communities, founded his own volunteering club, and seriously started preparing for college.

Cornell takes very few students for this summer program, and I truly believe it will give Zak a huge boost as he applies to colleges next year. He will be the first person in his family to attend college, and I have every confidence he will make the most of each opportunity he's given. 

Zak has put together a tremendous number of tools in two short years in the US, though he would truly benefit from some extra English learning and instruction. We both feel that the Cornell program will give him the opportunity to improve his academics across the board, and I am really excited for him to take his first ever trip outside of California. 

However, Zak requires financial assistance in order to attend this program. Through a combination of financial aid and other scholarships, he's covered much of the program's cost, but if you could please donate $5, $10, $20, or really any amount at all, we would be so grateful. No amount is too small!

I hope you'll support this amazing kid- he deserves this chance and I would love you to join me in making it happen for him. 

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have. 

Thank you again, 
Cammy


From Zak:

Hi, my name is Zakaria Kassim and two weeks ago I got into Cornell University to go to their summer college program: English Immersion Program: Academic English for Speakers of Other Languages. 

I applied to this program because I want to be able to speak and write English better before I apply to college this fall. As you can hear in my video, I came in San Francisco from Yemen two years ago and didn't speak any English, just Yemeni Arabic. I've learned a lot, but I still feel behind. Between school, homework, school clubs, prayer, and my job at Walgreens, there just hasn't been a lot of opportunity to get ahead. Going to Cornell for six weeks and getting to study only English would not only be a huge learning opportunity, but would also be my first trip out of the Bay Area ever and I would get to see what college is like!

I am currently a Jr at Mission High School in San Francisco. I like Mission because of how diverse it is, and how much my teachers and counselors care about all the students. When I first got to Mission, I wanted to keep learning English and making friends so I joined a lot of clubs. I founded the Mission Volunteer Club, I mentor a middle schooler, I am part of the Mission Arabic Club and the Mission Math Team, and I am an active leader at my Mosque where I also mentor the younger people. 

I am so excited to maybe get to go to Cornell this summer! But I need to fundraise to be able to afford the program. 

I'm raising $4,535 to help cover the Cornell Summer College Six Week Program and all other costs. 

Here is my current plan to pay for Cornell:
GoFundMe Campaign: $4535
Koshland Young Leader Award Money: $6000
Tuition Covered by Financial Aid from Cornell Summer: $2500
Airfare to Ithaca, NY and back: Donated miles from my mentor

(Total Covered as of May 4: $8500)

Here is the breakdown of costs:
Cost of Program: $12,435
Student Health Fee: $100
Estimated Expenses (dorm room items, books): $500
TOTAL: $13,035

I was recently named a Koshland Young Leader Award winner and will be using part of my award to cover my tuition this summer. The award, given to 20 juniors in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Foundation , is given to support paying for things that help me get into college. Thank you very much, San Francisco Foundation!

Cornell has asked me to accept or decline by May 12th, so I have to raise this money as quickly as possible. I would be so, so grateful for your help! Thank you so much for helping me get one step closer to my dream of going to college.

Thank you again for your support, 
Zakaria Kassim