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Dear Friends
The 2015-2016 school year was another period of evolution. There were many successes and a few obstacles along the
way, but again Education is Freedom delivered a solid year of performance. Building on our new positioning as a Career
Readiness organization, not only were we able to work with high school students who are ready to begin thinking about
post-secondary education and workforce readiness, we successfully re-launched our middle school program. Knowing
the importance of getting a head start on educational achievement, this was one of several huge accomplishments. Here
are the detailed results of our work last year.
According to the Council of the Great City Schools, DISD is “one of the nation’s fastest improving school districts.”
Additionally, according to District records, upon graduation, “more graduates are college and career ready, primed to
be productive, contributing members to the community.” As a small, skilled team and ally to the District, working with
students to help them achieve career readiness goals, we take pride in the work we do each day and we are fulfilled
knowing that our work has delivered successful outcomes.
We look forward to the year ahead and all that it brings. We have proven time and again, we are up for the challenge.
Best regards,
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Marcia Page David Biegler
CEO Chairman of the Board
EIF by the Numbers
Justin F. Kimball High School students are college & career ready
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Quotes
“To be honest I would sometimes feel like I was wasting my time thinking
that college wasn’t for me, but I remember [my EIF advisor] saying ‘Go
for it, you can do it!’ & helping me the same way [they] would help the
most intelligent top 10 percent students. I love the feeling of being a
college student and athlete, but I also hope you [EIF] know how much I
appreciate you for helping students like myself.” –Kenny Jaramillo, EIF
Alumni at Emmet J. Conrad High School
“EIF has literally changed the way we approach and communicate college
and career expectations to our students and parents. Since they have
been working with us here at Kimball, the perception, interest, and action
to gain entry about and into college has increased significantly. Their
hands-on approach motivates and challenges students to obtain college
entry and seek out scholarships. I like their can-do attitude and how they
pitch right in to help the students and the campus reach their goals. Our
advisor is “fabulous”. She doesn’t take no for an answer. So much positive
energy. I can’t picture Kimball without EIF.”
–Earl Jones, Executive Director, Former Principal at
Justin F. Kimball High School
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Our Mission & History
The Mission
Education is Freedom transforms lives through education
Our History
EIF was founded in 2002 by a visionary corporate leader who envisioned
a world where every young person could pursue a college education.
To accomplish this goal, the organization initially operated as a national
scholarship program, offering renewable scholarships to low-income, first-
generation college students who lacked the service resources to make
higher education a reality. However, this unilateral focus soon expanded to
direct provision on Dallas Independent School District (DISD) campuses,
where Higher Education Advisors strive to create a college going culture,
and mentor students in the quest for higher education. Currently,
programming is delivered as a year-round, tiered college and career
access support system, offering social, financial, and practical assistance in
applying to, securing funding for, and enrolling in an institution of higher
learning. The goal is to prepare students for life after high school, whether
they choose a 4-year or 2-year college, vocational school, the military,
apprenticeship, internship, or an alternative route.
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Providing college and career information to our students
at Emmett J. Conrad High School
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How does EIF achieve its mission?
Portfolio of Services
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Who does EIF serve?
Universities:
University of North Texas
University of Texas at Arlington
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2016 Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program
The Dallas Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program (MIFP) is designed and facilitated
by Education is Freedom. It is an eight-week, paid summer internship
program that introduces Dallas public high school students to careers
and employment opportunities in industries and companies where they
have expressed interest. The 2016 program reported successful outcomes
with increases in both the number of paid internships and the number
of participating companies and non-profit organizations over the previous
year, with expansions of 14% and 10%, respectively.
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2016 Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program Partners
Javonte Sterling
University of Texas at Austin, Senior
Skyline High School Graduate
Not too long ago JaVonte Starling walked the hallways of Skyline High
School. Despite the fact that none of his immediate family members had
attended college, he knew deep in his heart that he would be the first but
he did not know where to start. He recalls first hearing of EIF during the
afternoon school announcements and would often see EIF advisors in the
hallways talking with students. He eventually sought their help.
EIF assisted JaVonte with his essays and SAT preparation which played a
critical role in boosting his college applications. During his sophomore year,
JaVonte was encouraged by his EIF advisor to apply for the 2011 Mayor’s
Intern Fellows Program where he received his first paid, professional
internship at Texas Health Partners and got to explore his interests in the
medical field. JaVonte had the opportunity to share his experience as an
intern fellow during the 2016 Mayor’s Intern Fellows Program Luncheon,
speaking to over 800 people JaVonte shares, “I honestly cannot even
imagine where I would be today without EIF assistance and my first
exposure to the professional world that EIF provided. Many times donors
and contributors wonder if their money is going to good usage, and it
absolutely is with EIF. I want to thank you all for being so generous in
opening that door to students and kids, who without EIF would likely not
have that type of support on that level”. Currently, JaVonte is a 4th year
Biochemistry and African American Studies double major at the University
12 of Texas at Austin.
Success Stories
Marilyn Zavaleta
University of Texas at Arlington, Freshman
North Dallas High School Graduate
Exactly a year ago, Marilyn Zavaleta sat in the Education is Freedom room
at North Dallas High School getting help with her college applications and
applying for scholarships. Neither of her parents nor her older brother
attended college but she was determined to make a difference and be the
first one to attend. She heard great things about Education is Freedom from
her fellow classmates and eventually sought help from her EIF advisor, Ms.
Rebecca Burns. Marilyn states, “I am extremely grateful for the EIF program;
they helped me so much in terms of scholarships, becoming informed
about FAFSA, and being able to stand where I stand today, a student at a
Texas University.” Without EIF’s help, Marilyn believes her life would not be
the same, she would not have had the help of a dedicated advisor to assist
her in identifying scholarship opportunities and reaching her educational
goals. Today, Marilyn is a freshman at the University of Texas at Arlington
with plans to major in Education. Marilyn admits, “I am beyond grateful for
all of the help I have received from everyone including my family’s support.
Being able to attend UTA is a great honor to me. I also know that my EIF
instructor Rebecca Burns contributed to this dream I am currently living
and I will forever be grateful for her too.”
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Success Stories
Shayla Nguyen
University of Texas at Austin, Freshman
North Dallas High School Graduate
Shayla Nguyen grew up in Dallas, TX. Both her parents worked tirelessly to
provide a future with better opportunities for Shayla and her older brother. It
was Shayla’s older brother who first introduced her to Education is Freedom.
During his years at North Dallas High School, he received help from EIF
with his educational journey that led him to successfully graduate from the
University of Texas at Austin. Shayla wanted to follow in his footsteps and
also got involved with Education is Freedom once she started high school
at North Dallas. Shayla shares, “Education is Freedom granted me the
opportunity to experience the real world. I gained networking skills, job
experiences, and college knowledge for my future.” Without the program
Shayla believes she would not currently be in a dorm at the University of
Texas at Austin studying for her midterms with no debt accumulated. Shayla
states, “To the donors of Education is Freedom, thank you very much for
financing such an amazing program. The program granted many students
the opportunity to continue their education and become successful.
I appreciate the chance you allowed me to attend my dream university
and to provide me with knowledge that benefits my college experience.”
Shayla is currently a freshman at the University of Texas in the McCombs
School of Business.
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Major Successes
“Find Your Future” Middle School Program: The “Find Your Future”
Education is Freedom (EIF) Middle School program is designed to
foster high school and post-secondary awareness and consideration
among students and their families. The “Find Your Future” EIF Middle
School Program was a 26-school week program, from November 1,
2015 until June 2, 2016. EIF staff members met with Dallas ISD and
Grand Prairie ISD campus leadership prior to program launch to agree
for student workshops and experiences, to discuss learning objectives and other details specific to campus-level
program implementation. Once the individual campus timelines were established, EIF staff began working with the
designated 8th graders and their families to accomplish the goals. This program served:
- Dallas ISD: 1,327 8th grade students and their families on the designated campuses: E.B. Comstock Middle
School, Billy Earl Dade Middle School, John B. Hood Middle School, and Harold Wendell Lang Sr. Middle School.
- Grand Prairie ISD: 3,000 students and their families on the designated campuses: John Adams Middle School,
Fanning Middle School, Andrew Jackson Middle School, Kennedy Middle School, Reagan Middle School and Harry
S. Truman Middle School.
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2015-2016 Donors
Supporter Spotlight
“The Meadows Foundation exists to assist people and institutions of Texas improve the quality
and circumstances of life for themselves and future generations. The Meadows Foundation strives
to exemplify the principles of its founder in addressing basic human needs by working toward
the elimination of ignorance, hopelessness and suffering; protecting the environment; providing
cultural enrichment; encouraging excellence; and promoting understanding and cooperation
among people.” The Meadows Foundation contributed $75,000 to support EIF programs.
“United Way of Metropolitan Dallas is tackling tough issues that make a lasting difference and
create opportunities for greatness such as graduating college and preparing career-ready teens.
All kids deserve the opportunity to reach their full potential and become the next leaders in
our community. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas supports Education is Freedom’s mission to
transform lives through education.”
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2015-2016 Statement of
Activities & Changes in Net Assets
2015-2016 Contributions
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2015-2016 Board of Directors
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ADDRESS
1111 W Mockingbird Ln
Suite #1300B
Dallas, TX 75247
CONTACT
1-877-6-I AM EIF
(1-877-642-6343)
Email: info@educationisfreedom.org
www.educationisfreedom.com
@eifdotorg