Stories
United Way of Long Island's DREAMS for Youth Scholarship Program provides scholarships to deserving students so that they may achieve their academic dreams of continuing their education. Here is a reflection from scholarship recipient Toni of Southold, who feels like college is now her second home:
I was honored to receive this scholarship to help me pursue my goals at Marist College. It has…
United Way of Long Island's DREAMS for Youth Scholarship Program provides scholarships to deserving students so that they may achieve their academic dreams of continuing their education. Here is a reflection from scholarship recipient Oscar of Brentwood, who is studying at Suffolk Community College with assistance from a Camilla G. Belser Memorial Scholarship.
Hello, my name is Oscar and I had…
United Way of Long Island's DREAMS for Youth Scholarship Program provides scholarships to deserving students so that they may achieve their academic dreams of continuing their education. Here is a reflection from scholarship recipient Anna of Lindenhurst, who moved across the country to study science in California:
I experienced more than I ever thought was possible during my first fall…
When a person is faced with challenges, it is often easier to collapse under the pressure than to rise above them. For Kelly of Huntington Station, despite the tragedies she’s faced, she knew she had to stay strong for the most important people in her life – her four children.
In 2012, Kelly was on a charter bus traveling upstate when the driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed the bus.…
As United Way of Long Island DREAMS for Youth Scholarship recipients complete their first year of college, they often send reflections on what they've learned and how their scholarship helped them find their way. Here are just some of their stories:
My first year of college is officially over, and although it has been the most academically and emotionally challenging year of my life, I can…
Everyone Rides NICE will be available beginning April 28, 2021.
United Way of Long Island and Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE bus) partnered to provide low- and moderate-income Nassau County families and individuals with emergency transportation assistance for bus fares.
Everyone Rides NICE provides free Metrocards for use on NICE buses to help eligible riders travel to and from school, work,…
Brian
VetsBuild Graduate
Occupation: Service Technician
Upon graduating high school, Brian, of Coram knew that he wanted to serve his country and enlist in the U.S. Army. In 2006, at the age of 17, he joined as an infantryman on the front lines in the war against terror. While enlisted, he felt a deep sense of purpose, choosing to remain in Infantry instead of transferring to other jobs like…
As a young man, Corey fell into the wrong crowd and got into trouble. What started out as minor transgressions developed into criminal behavior that led him to incarceration before he graduated high school. He was released and completed high school, but his attitude led him down a dangerous path. After learning about United Way’s YouthBuild Long Island from his aunt, Corey realized he was…
YouthBuild student Jasmine was part of a class-wide exercise focusing on responsibility and accountability. She was elected as leader of the group, and was given the responsibility to give assignments and tasks to her team to complete the given goal. They were given 13 tasks to complete in just 90 minutes at Tanger Outlets in Deer Park. The group had to send each completed task to the group…
When a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated her home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2010, Reina barely understood what was happening. She watched the only life she ever knew shake, shatter and crumble until all that was left was the vague sense that she’d never return to the normalcy she once had.
Later that year, having lost neighbors and friends, she uprooted her life completely and came to the…