This is a recap of the progress Beacon of Hope has made in our mission to inspire, invest, and equip Lynchburg's students to achieve their dreams!
Issue #1
Quarter One Newsletter
September 2024
Invest, Inspire, Equip
A New Chapter in Empowering Our Students: Welcome to our Newsletter!
In our newsletters, you can expect:
Welcome to the inaugural edition of our quarterly newsletter! As we look back on the past few months at Beacon of Hope, we’re excited to share the impact of our work and
As we continue on this exciting journey together, we want this newsletter to be more than just updates—it’s a way for you to stay connected with the heart of our mission. You’ll get behind-the- scenes looks at our programs, hear firsthand from students whose lives have been transformed, and learn about the dedicated community members and partners who make it all possible. Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to Beacon of Hope, we’re grateful to have you by our side as we work to build a brighter future for all Lynchburg City students. Thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of the Beacon of Hope family. We look forward to sharing our journey with you each quarter as we continue to inspire , invest , and equip the next generation.
Program Updates
the strides we’re making in empowering Lynchburg City
The Impact of Your Giving
students to pursue higher education and career pathways. Each edition of this newsletter will highlight key initiatives, celebrate the successes of our programs, and give you a sneak peek at what’s on the horizon for our organization. My name is Virginia Scott, and I’ve been the Director of Communications and Development since joining the team in February. At Beacon of Hope, we are passionate about connecting students to opportunities that shape their futures, and it’s my mission to keep you informed, engaged, and inspired by the work we’re doing together. Our students are incredible individuals and this is a great place to see their stories and how you are impacting the next generation.
Upcoming Initiatives
Student Spotlight
Informational Articles
Warmly, Virginia Scott
Staff Profile Highlights
FAFSA: The Key to Unlocking College Dreams For millions of students across the United States, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a crucial step toward getting into college. It’s the form that can mean the difference between attending the school of your dreams or struggling to find a way to pay for it. But how did this important form become such a big deal? Let’s take a look at the history of FAFSA, understand its current challenges, and see why it’s still so important for students today, even with the problems caused by the most recent updates.
even more accessible, especially for low- income families.
Recent Problems with FAFSA While FAFSA has been a vital resource, the 2024-2025 form was delayed until December 31, 2023, causing concern as students have less time to apply before deadlines. Technical issues with the updated system, like slowdowns and outages, have added to the frustration. Some also worry the simplified form may not gather enough financial information, potentially impacting low-income students. Looking Ahead: Improving FAFSA Despite these issues, FAFSA remains essential. Many colleges and universities extended deadlines and offered to work with students regardless of the aid given through FAFSA by offering their own institutional aid. Experts are calling for better communication and support to ensure students, especially those from low-income families, don’t miss out on aid. With improvements, FAFSA will likely continue to be a lifeline for students for years to come. Beacon’s Response to the FAFSA Fiasco Recognizing the frustration the new process was imparting on students, we sprang into action. Read on the next page about the FAFSA Summer Completion Project! Sources: The Federal Student Aid website (https://studentaid.gov/) & FAFSA Simplifiation Center (https://www.nasfaa.org/fafsa_simplification)
How FAFSA Came to Be FAFSA’s roots trace back to the 1960s, when the U.S. government sought to make college more accessible to all students, not just those who could afford it. This led to the Higher Education Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, which aimed to make college more affordable. Before FAFSA, students had to navigate multiple financial aid forms for each college, which was confusing and time-consuming. In 1992, Congress introduced FAFSA as a single, simplified form to apply for federal grants, loans, and work- study programs. FAFSA Enters the New Age of Tech Originally, FAFSA was a lengthy paper form with over 100 questions, which had to be filled out by hand, leading to errors and delays. In 1997, it went digital, reducing mistakes and speeding up the process. A major update came in 2021 through the FAFSA Simplification Act, cutting the number of questions to under 50, making the form
Beacon’s Bold Move: The Summer FAFSA Completion Project to Raise Lynchburg’s FAFSA Submission Rates
As recent changes to the FAFSA create challenges for colleges, Beacon of Hope is stepping up to ensure Lynchburg City Schools (LCS) students remain leaders in college and career readiness. Since 2012, Beacon of Hope has helped students and families with college applications, job searches, and, importantly, FAFSA completion. When the organization launched its Future Centers in local high schools, FAFSA completion rates were below 50%. Through a decade of consistent support —including multiple FAFSA Night events, one- on-one appointments, and classroom visits— completion rates have climbed to 70-75%, placing Lynchburg among the top in Virginia. The Summer 2024 FAFSA Completion Project In response to recent FAFSA delays and technical challenges, Beacon of Hope launched the Summer 2024 FAFSA Completion Project from July to September. This initiative aimed to significantly increase the number of completed FAFSA applications from fewer than 150 to 400 by the end of the summer. A key component of this project was the hiring of eight near-peer mentors, specially trained to assist students and families with the FAFSA process. These mentors, alongside Beacon staff, provided access to technology and resources during one-on-one appointments. The project also includes stand-alone FAFSA completion events, where students and families received hands-on support in a relaxed, welcoming
environment. In July saw two FAFSA Food Truck Night events where families could come and receive assistance and dinner from local food trucks, all for free. These evenings saw over 50+ families through the process and helped familiarize parents with the FAFSA. The Path Forward The Summer 2024 FAFSA Completion Project was driven by strong partnerships, including a key collaboration with ECMC (Educational Credit Management Corporation), a national nonprofit dedicated to helping families manage the complexities of financing higher education. This project was a bold, community-wide initiative that addresses the challenges facing Lynchburg students. By expanding our team, maximizing resources, and strengthening partnerships, Beacon of Hope is ensuring that every student has the necessary support to pursue higher education. As the project wraps up in September, it has not only benefitted local students but also serve as a model for other communities navigating the evolving FAFSA process, helping students reach their full potential.
Staff Highlight: Kara Douglas, M.S.Ed
background as a Career & Internship Counselor at the University of Lynchburg and experience as an Instructional Designer, Kara is passionate about empowering students to achieve their academic and career goals. She is also an active member of the Leadership Lynchburg Council. Outside of work, Kara enjoys crafting, shopping, and listening to her favorite artists. Have questions for Kara? Email her at Kara@beaconofhope lynchburg.org.
Kara Douglas joined the Beacon of Hope team in May of 2024 and serves as the Future Center Director at E.C. Glass High School. Our Future Center Directors guide students in areas like career counseling, financial aid, scholarships, and college preparation. With a
Upcoming Events & Initiatives September kicked off with campus visits at Randolph College and University of Lynchburg.
Commonwealth and Stay Close, Go Far Scholarships open on 10/1 Office of College and Career Success begins mid-semester check-ins on students (October) Virginia College Application Week is 10/28-11/1 College Field Trips for HHS and ECG students during October and November include Longwood, Liberty Aviation, and Virginia Tech.
Empowering Student at our Back to School Event: Glow Up at Glass
The Glow Up at Glass event, held at E.C. Glass High School on August 15, 2024, offered students free haircuts, styling, and beauty services provided by local businesses. Organized by Beacon of Hope’s newest staff member, Kara Douglas, the event aimed to boost
student confidence in the classroom. Not to mention, students were able to learn about career opportunities in cosmetology directly from the providers themselves, some of whom are LCS graduates themselves. Over 70 families were served through this event!
From Pioneer to Hokie: Sameria Lamberth’s Journey to Success at CloudFit Sameria Lamberth is currently a sophomore at Virginia Tech, but her relationship with Beacon of Hope was cemented in 2022. She was placed at Framatome during that summer’s Internship Program. After graduating from Heritage High School in 2023, she moved to Blacksburg and began pursuing classes geared towards computer science. However, changes to her major’s curriculum left her uncertain about her future path. During a pivotal winter workshop, Sameria connected with Maegan Crews Fallen, Beacon of Hope’s Director of Office of College and Career Success, who helped her reassess her goals and provided critical guidance on navigating her next steps. Beacon of Hope’s impact continued through the spring. Sameria worked with Maegan to refine her resume, explore career options, and eventually set her sights on an internship with CloudFit Software through the highly competitive JobFit program during the summer of 2024. With Beacon’s support, Sameria secured the internship, where she worked on innovative projects and sharpened her technical and leadership skills.
Sameria on-site at CloudFit this summer with her mentor, Jimmy, who provided individual coaching, shadowing, and development. Photo courtesy of CloudFit Software.
Introducing the Beacon Builders Club cybersecurity, and her journey reflects Beacon of Hope’s mission to empower students with the tools and opportunities needed to thrive in both their education and careers. Beacon of Hope’s commitment to supporting Sameria every step of the way—through mentorship, career development, and access to competitive opportunities—has played a significant role in her success. Today, Sameria is confidently pursuing a future in Her hard work and dedication earned her the prestigious role of intern ambassador through the VTOP program, representing CloudFit on Virginia Intern Day in Richmond, VA. Launching in October, the Beacon Builders Club is your chance to empower Lynchburg’s students through monthly giving. By joining, you’ll help fund vital resources like scrubs for interns or college applications. Together, we can inspire, invest, and equip the next generation. Want to know more? Stay tuned on social media and watch for more information in your email.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator