Fruits of Labor Scholarship Coalition
The Fruits of Labor Scholarship Coalition (FLSC) is honored to be able to partner with the Weston T. Hyde Educational Foundation to raise funds for scholarships for students served by the New York State Migrant Education Program (NYS-MEP). Each year, dozens of talented migrant students, the children of migratory agricultural workers, overcome numerous challenges (frequent moves, interrupted education, limited English proficiency, etc.) to graduate from high school and put themselves into position to continue their education at the postsecondary level.
The name Fruits of Labor was chosen for the coalition to signify the long hours of hard labor that so many of these families put in on New York’s farms in order to provide opportunities for their children to receive a quality education and pursue their dreams. These students truly are the “fruits” of their parents’ labor and despite their best efforts, many face significant financial challenges to achieving their college and career goals. FLSC’s vision is that “students and parents served by the NYS Migrant Education Program System will have the financial resources necessary to pursue further education and achieve their dreams.”
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Please join Fruits of Labor in offering your support to helping students like Nancy and Jocelyn profiled below:
“Confidence Goes a Long Way”
Nancy is a student of the digital arts at SUNY Oneonta. Despite language barriers and other challenges after emigrating from Mexico, Nancy’s experience at the SUNY Oneonta Migrant Leadership Academy (SOMLA) in 2017 helped Nancy realize that “confidence goes a long way and inspires confidence in others.” She says she was always an extrovert and a natural leader, but that SOMLA’s lessons in language, with other students who were uncomfortable with speaking and writing in English, increased her confidence. She notes that she also learned from other students in the program and is grateful to have been a part of SOMLA and the people there, recalling her favorite memory of a field trip canoeing at a lake, on a sunny day with her friends.
Nancy credits her parents for her work ethic: “My Mom is devoted and hard-working, and my Dad is honest. They both inspire me.” She also reads Dan Howell, famous You-tuber; and admires Bill Nye (the science guy) for his endless wealth of knowledge.
Nancy’s goals include improving her grades and graduating college. She has a no-nonsense attitude and is direct in her views and advice on success: “Take advantage of all opportunities… make friendships and connections…believe in yourself…and don’t overthink it. I never thought I could go to college and be independent.”
“My Dreams Don’t Have Borders”
Jocelyn came to the United States when she was 12 years old. Her parents brought the family to this country so that their daughters could have a better life. Today, Jocelyn honors her parents the best way she knows how: by overcoming all obstacles, working hard, and excelling as a student.
Jocelyn knew little English when she came to the U.S.— “mostly colors and numbers,” she says—but saw an opportunity to advance her skills through the New York State Migrant Education Program (NYSMEP). Jocelyn admits she was nervous and scared at first but adds that the summer program helped her “start a new chapter” in life. She was soon comfortable and encouraged to practice English without being made fun of because of her accent. She felt at home because there were others like her struggling, learning, and going through similar experiences, “like a family”, bonding through activities like swimming, canoeing, field trips, art classes, and learning.
Today, Jocelyn is working two jobs and pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Health Care Studies. When asked how she manages it all, she admits it isn’t easy, but adds that “Mr. Paul (the Director of Oswego Migrant Education) always texts me to ask how I’m doing. He says, ‘we’re always here for you’.” Jocelyn also swears by using an agenda to organize appointments and manage her time and recommends to students who want to succeed in the face of challenges, “Be stronger and braver. Everything happens for a reason.” Jocelyn sees herself in ten years working in health care and living “in a house with my family”, from whom she was separated. For her high school graduation, she crafted the cap for her commencement. It reads, “My Dreams Don’t Have Borders.”