Spring 2024 Newsletter
Dear Friends of Blessed to Be a Blessing,
We are delighted to bring you the latest updates and exciting news from Blessed to Be a Blessing. Your support continues to fuel our growing International Education Equal Access Pipeline.
Blessed Scholar Alert!
We are thrilled to announce, Andrea Rosas, as the recipient of the Sumer 2024 DPS/APS Study Abroad Scholarship. As a first-generation American and College Student, Andrea has grown up within Denver Public Schools and is excited to head overseas for the first time! Finishing up her Bachelor's in Business Administration concentrating in Finance with a Minor in International Studies from CU-Denver, Andrea will first participate in a "Maymester" program in Seoul, South Korea. Here she will explore themes of sustainability and urbanization, while learning about Korean business culture.
Join us in wishing her safe travels today and an amazing time abroad! We look forward to hearing about her experience and are grateful for people like you who helped make this scholarship possible!
"What excites me most about my study abroad experience is immersing myself in a new culture and environment while deepening my understanding of Buddhism. My dad passed away in 2022 and he had a strong interest in this religion, and I want to learn more about it to honor his memory."
-Andrea Rosas
Program Updates
Global Access Passport Program
This past March, our founder, Shawn, was able to facilitate, in person, a GAP Program for the first time. After so many years of working behind the scenes, he was excited to get back into a student-facing role and see the impact of our programs firsthand. We blessed five local students with passports and international travel knowledge that session, including our scholarship recipient, Andrea. With her off to South Korea, two students have already utilized their passports, with the first attending the annual Tijuana Service Trip with our partner, Colorado Uplift.
This upcoming Fall 2024 Semester we are running a GAP Program in partnership with a local DPS high school, Denver East, for the first time. This is the first step towards having GAP as a regularly occurring program at schools across the city. We are excited to see the program’s quality and popularity as the most common suggestion is to offer it to more students!
A New Part of our Pipeline: Post-Abroad Programs!
Once a student has gone abroad, the first significant goal of our programs has been achieved. This opens the door to the last step of our pipeline-Post Abroad Programs. Students will utilize their international experiences for maximum personal, academic, and career growth within these programs. The first of these is our new What’s Next? Program. This is a 4-week course to reflect on time spent abroad and learn how to utilize those experiences for future development. Whether they are heading to college, starting a career, or embarking on a gap year, this program offers guidance and resources to navigate these important decisions. Workshops on resume/cover letter writing, interview practice, and future exploration are just a few of the ways we support our students with Whatever’s Next.
Save the Date!
Mark your calendars for the 2nd Annual Bridging the Gap Community Event! Join us on Friday, July 26th, 2024, at the Long Table Brewhouse in Park Hill. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow supporters, hear directly from scholarship recipients, and celebrate our achievements together. Enjoy local brews and foods, and a silent/online auction with all proceeds supporting our Study Abroad Scholarships and GAP Program. We look forward to seeing you there!
Your unwavering support is what makes all of these initiatives possible. Thank you for being a crucial part of the Blessed to Be a Blessing family. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of our students and building a brighter future for our community and our world.
With gratitude,
The Blessed to Be a Blessing Team