Teachers, students, and school system officials helped the Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF) show appreciation Tuesday morning for its supporters and volunteers by sharing successes in the programs the nonprofit organization backs.
At its annual appreciation breakfast at Riverwood International Charter School on April 22, Gonzalo La Cava, the chief human resources officer for Fulton County Schools, said SSEF and the Sandy Springs community’s action ensures that every student can thrive in school and life.
“Your continued support is just not appreciated. It’s creating a lasting, measurable change for students, our community, and our schools,” La Cava said.
SSEF implements free supplemental programs to engage, support, and encourage economically disadvantaged public school students to excel academically, finish high school, and then move onto a vocation or college.
“There’s no way that we can make the kind of impact that we have without all of you, our sponsors, our donors, our volunteers, our partners. They’re so impactful, so important to all of us,” said Irene Schweiger, SSEF executive director. “Their help is the reason SSEF can impact more than 6,000 students every year.”
The 18 programs it runs in 11 public schools in Sandy Springs include after-school programs, tutoring, STEAM grants and showcase, a High Demand Career Fair for both high schools, and mentoring at those schools.
Nicole Hudson, a teacher at Spalding Drive Elementary School, said her career and her experience with SSEF began almost 20 years ago at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School. Though her time at Spalding Drive Elementary is coming to an end with the closing of the school, she plans to continue volunteering for the SSEF STEAM Showcase.
Aiden Hudson, her son, said he joined the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) club to try something new. He liked coding to program a robot’s movements and enjoyed other science experiments. The STEAM Showcase was a highlight, and he wants to take part next year.
For three years, Sandy Springs Charter Middle School eighth grader Cameron Taylor has been part of the After-School All Stars program supported by SSEF.
“All Stars has helped me because it’s given me the ability to get help from teachers when I don’t understand my work. And because of that, I’ve been able to help other students as well,” Taylor said.
Vanesa Hernandez, a junior at Riverwood, shared her story of growing up with asthma, having to get medical treatment at a young age.
“When I was barely a kindergartner, my mother would take me to my pediatrician. I had to translate between her Spanish and myself with English,” Hernandez said. “I had to learn medical terms and learn to understand beyond my years.”
That fueled her desire to become a pediatrician and open a clinic where children and parents can come into a friendly atmosphere and be supported, including translation services.
SSEF helped introduce her to Love Nursing and Medical Training in Sandy Springs. Its hybrid healthcare courses enabled her to attend weekend hybrid courses online, with skills training on the weekends. She passed the state certification test and works as a certified nursing assistant on the weekends as she attends high school during weekdays.
Harrison Crawford, a senior at North Springs High, said the High Demand Career Fairs helped him learn about different jobs and programs within companies. Many of them offer apprenticeships, which he believed would be perfect for him.
Schweiger handed out awards to volunteers and supporters. The Sustaining Scholar Award went to the RangeWater Impact Foundation. It has been the top sponsor for SSEF’s STEAM Showcase for three years.
Lee Smith was named the Carolyn Axt Volunteer of the Year. Her involvement with SSEF began when Schweiger asked her how to set up her Woodland Elementary School Partners in Literacy program at other schools.
Sarahi Salazar was named the School Program Champion of the Year for her work coordinating 33 volunteers who reach out to help Lake Forest Elementary School students.
The Nonprofit Partner of the Year award went to the Building Talent Foundation, which looks to address labor shortages and skills traits. Derrick Henderson, the foundation’s engagement manager in the Atlanta market, has made presentations and trained students on how to prepare for interviews.
Kristen Daddow-Rodriguez was named the Dr. Ava Wilensky Board Member of the Year for her work as co-chair of the STEAM Showcase and with Riverwood’s SAIL program that helps students who are prepared to graduate, but lack solid plans for their future.
