Happy Friday Eve! It’s finals week at the U of A - campus may be quiet but Project FOCUS has been busy. This week was filled with on campus interviews for all the 2023 student applicants! It was exciting to meet all our potential new students and explore campus together.

We are also in our home stretch for our Crowdfunding campaign. With just 4 days left, we are in our final push to reach our goal of 22k.

Through the support of our amazing donors, project Focus can continue to offer an inclusion-based college experience for high school students in the Tucson area. While in Project FOCUS, our students take University of Arizona courses, are employed at multiple different internships on campus, and connect with outstanding Peer Mentors who are fellow college students at the university of Arizona.

Please share our information, and donate if possible! We cannot express our appreciation for all of the incredible support we have received thus far.

Have a wonderful Thursday, everyone! BEAR DOWN 

Peer Mentor Highlight 

⭐️Alyssa⭐️

This was Alyssa's first semester with Project FOCUS.

Alyssa is majoring in psychology and hopes to go on to a doctoral program to get her PhD in the future.

Project FOCUS has impacted Alyssa's college experience, "Being a part of Project FOCUS has impacted my college experience immensely!!!!!!! Project FOCUS has such a wonderful group of peer mentors and students that have become such a great support system for me in my first semester on campus. The relationships I have created with students in Project FOCUS are seriously some of my favorite friendships I've ever had. Everyone is so genuine and uplifting. :)"

A highlight from this semester was, "A highlight from my time as a peer mentor in Project FOCUS has been working with Zoe at her internship in the beetle lab. Seeing Zoe's progress as she became a master beetle searcher was so awesome. I never thought I'd be as interested in beetles as I am now! :)"

Alyssa's words of wisdom for future college students is, "For future college students I would say to GET INVOLVED!!!!!!! Being involved in internships and experiences, such as Project FOCUS, during my first semester of college was huge for a smoother transition and made it so much easier to make good friends and have good experiences. :)"

Thank you, Alyssa, for a fabulous semester. We appreciate you!

We have just 6 days left of our 2022 Crowdfunding Campaign!

We want to thank everyone who has liked our posts, shared our information and donated to our website. Our program wouldn’t be able to exist without this outstanding support.

We are in our final push to reach our goal of 22k - let’s make our goal a reality!

Peer Mentor Highlight 

⭐️Amanda⭐️

Amanda has been a peer mentor with Project FOCUS for 2 semesters.

Her major is Psychology with an emphasis in Special Education. She plans to be a Special Education teacher.

Amanda shared that Project FOCUS impacted her college experience, "I have enjoyed every moment of Project FOCUS. It has greatly impacted my college experience in so many positive ways. It has made me change my perception on the world. I have made and met so many students who are so positive even in hard situations. The way they get excited to see someone, especially when it is you definitely always brightens my day. The best part of my college experience was working with these students. They are all kindhearted, kind and creative. They continue to amaze me each time I hang out with each and every one of them." 

A highlight from her time with Project FOCUS is, "A highlight I have from my time with Project Focus was when I was working with Jamelle. When we were all done with our work that day, we always walk around or play a game with other peer mentors. This time he wanted to race me through the blow-up obstacle course that they had set up on the mall. I said, okay let's do it. He then proceeded to tell me that he was going dominate me, I said bring it on dude. Of course, that was what he did. He dominated me through the obstacle course. The smile on his face afterwards was amazing to see."

Amanda's words of wisdom for future college students is, "Definitely put yourself out there and go do something that means most to you. You will never reach the fullest until you accomplish what is truly important to you. What is important to me is make a difference in students lives. I was able to do this by making an impact on the students and creating friendships with them."

Thank you, Amanda, for being a part of the Project FOCUS team - we appreciate you!

Student Highlight 

⭐️Joseph⭐️

Joseph shared that he has lots of fun while on campus.

Joseph took The Money Class during the Fall 2022 semester.

Something that surprised Joseph about college was that he has time to workout during his day.

A highlight of Joseph's college experience so far was working downstairs at the student union.

Joseph's words of wisdom for future college students is, "Be nice and have fun!"

Way to go, Joseph! Keep up the great work!

Student Highlight 

⭐️Katie⭐️

Katie shared that while she is on campus, she enjoys, "I walk around campus. On Fridays I go to the sorority house with Maggie and the mall and everywhere else too."

Katie took two courses this semester.  She took Retail and Youth & Diverse Communities.

Something that surprised Katie about college was, "Getting to meet new peer mentors and new students too and become friends with them."

A highlight from Katie's college experience so far is, "Being able to become friends with everybody and also hang out with your friends and peer mentors too and become friends."

Way to go, Katie! Keep up the great work! 

Student Highlight 

⭐️Jamelle⭐️

While on campus, Jamelle shared, "On a normal day, I usually like to work and chill with peer mentors at the Union, Library or Old main. I also like working out and hanging with friends outside of Project FOCUS.

Jamelle is taking 1 class this semester. It is ART 358: Digital Design.

Something that surprised Jamelle about college was, "I noticed that every year at this program I started to grow as a man and also as a student. I notice myself maturing a lot, even compared to last year."

A highlight of Jamelle's college experience so far was, "There has been a lot, but one of my favorites was when I was able to invite many peer mentors and friends to my 21st birthday this year. It was fun because I usually don't hang out with a lot of people outside of campus so that was a awesome experience to have."

Jamelle's words of wisdom for future college students is, "It may seem tough the first year you arrive on campus, but if you talk to the peer mentors, teachers, and people even outside the program you'll thrive and truly become a Wildcat."

We are so proud of you, Jamelle! Keep up the outstanding work.

Peer Mentor Highlight

☀️Emma☀️

This was Emma's first semester with Project FOCUS.

Emma's major is Pre-Nursing with a minor in Care, Health, and Society. She plans on becoming a pediatric developmental disabilities nurse! 

Emma shared that being a part of Project FOCUS has impacted her college experience, "Being a part of Project FOCUS has given me a family on campus that always makes me feel loved whenever I’m around. While it has also been helpful in gaining experience for my future career, the most important part of Project FOCUS has been making meaningful relationships with students and other peer mentors."

A highlight from Emma's semester with Project FOCUS was, "Every Monday and Wednesday I get to do employment vocabulary with JP and every time we complete an aspect of the assignment we started doing fist bumps. Getting to celebrate with him and helping him complete his employment vocabulary has brought me so much joy and I look forward to my time with him every week!"

Emma's words of wisdom for future college students is, "Explore the wide variety of opportunities that college offers! Go out of your comfort zone and make your time here meaningful, it doesn’t last long!"

Thank you, Emma, for all your hard work and dedication to Project FOCUS.  We appreciate you!

Student Highlight

⭐MJ⭐️

While on campus, MJ goes to her internship at Campus Pantry. She likes to go off campus with Isaac and get things to eat every Friday. MJ also likes to check out the mall and get free stuff.

MJ is taking Service Learning this semester.

Something that surprised MJ about college was learning how to control her money.

A highlight of MJ's college experience is, "Being with all my mentors, my mentors make it really fun for me to be on campus."

MJ's words of wisdom for future college students is, "When you go to college learn how to spend your money wisely because you don’t know when you’ll need it the most."

You are crushing it, MJ! Keep up the fantastic work!

Peer Mentor Highlight 

⭐️Lauren⭐️

Lauren has been an intern with Project FOCUS for 2 semesters.

Lauren is majoring in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. After graduation, she plans to go to graduate school for speech therapy!

Lauren shared that being a part of Project FOCUS has impacted her college experience by, "...allowing me to become a part of an amazing community. My time at the U of A would not have been the same without the Project FOCUS family!"

A highlight from Lauren's time at Project FOCUS is, "supporting Sage in her Spanish Culture class. I had the opportunity to watch Sage grow so much in just one semester on campus!"

Lauren's words of wisdom for future college students is, "to explore the many opportunities that campus has to offer! Finding community in college is so important and will lead you to your people."

Thank you, Lauren, for your dedication and hard work. We appreciate you!

Student Highlight 

☀️Claire☀️

Claire enjoys going to the student union, Old Main, and the WoW Library while on campus.

Claire is currently taking Children's Literature at the U of A.

Something that surprised Claire about being a college student is how many different peer mentors she has met.

A highlight of Claire's college experience was going to pep rallies and football games.  She really enjoyed hanging out with peer mentors and friends.

Advice that Claire would offer future college students is to enjoy learning new things and being a Wildcat on campus.

Way to go, Claire!

Peer Mentor Highlight

⭐️Isaac⭐️

This is Isaac's first semester with Project FOCUS.

Isaac is a psychological science major and after graduation he is not exactly sure what he wants to do in the future, but he is looking at opportunities to go abroad such as psychological research in different countries or Teach for America. 

Isaac shared that Project FOCUS has impacted his college experience because he, "...loves hanging out with the students so it gives me something fun to look forward to each day. I met so many friends through here that I would have never met otherwise."

A highlight from his time at Project FOCUS was, "Making a super hero presentation with Joseph that has 487 slides in it."

Isaac's words of wisdom for future college students is, "Try to not get caught up in the stressful parts of college, so much of it is fun so do your best to enjoy it."

Thank you, Isaac, for being a wonderful mentor and friend for our students. We appreciate you!

Project FOCUS wants to thank all the incredible humans who make this program possible. 

THANK YOU to our professors for supporting students and peer mentors in class. Exposing students to interesting subjects, social situations, technology, and learning styles prepares the young adults in Project FOCUS for their future. 

THANK YOU to our internship site supervisors. Our students gain work skills through the wide range of opportunities for employment on campus. Project FOCUS students leave our program with work experience and a professional portfolio to hit the ground running into gainful employment thanks to the support of our site supervisors. 

THANK YOU to our partnering districts.  The collaborating and communication that takes place to successfully support all students is incredible.  It is wonderful to come to the table with independence and self-advocacy as the main goal.

THANK YOU to our parents and families for believing in your child, supporting them through these huge transitions, and being the best advocate for your child.

THANK YOU to our UA and Tucson Community.  Seeing inclusion embraced across campus and the community will continue to provide opportunities for our students and support each individual to lead the most independent life possible.

THANK YOU to our donors. Your generosity ensures that future cohorts of students can access the UA and be fully included in the college life.

THANK YOU to our Peer Mentors. This program would not function or exist without you. Your dedication, genuine love for our students., inquisitive minds, flexibility, perseverance, and professionalism creates the environment for all Project FOCUS students to grow, gain life changing skills, and develop connections that will last long after graduation. 

Finally, THANK YOU to our students. You made the decision to go to college and try something completely new and different. Your desire and passion to learn, grow, and become more independent is why we all do what we do. Thank you for showing up each day, stepping outside of your comfort zones, and believing in yourselves!

We hope everyone has a safe and restful Thanksgiving. We can't wait to finish off the rest of the semester strong!

Peer Mentor Highlight 

⭐️Ben⭐️

Ben has been a peer mentor with Project FOCUS for three semesters.

Ben is studying Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law. Ben wants to pursue a law degree and become a business attorney and entrepreneur.

Ben shared, "Working with JP at Pangea last year was very gratifying for me. I got to witness a young man I had been friends with for a while develop his skills in the workforce and his progress from the start of his internship to the conclusion was immense. Observing him build tangible work skills and being part of helping to teach them to him was amazing."

He also shared, "Project FOCUS has helped me develop my skills as a mentor and also given me the opportunity to meet a wealth of amazing people. I feel more equipped as an educator and advocate for individuals with disabilities."

Ben's words of wisdom for future college students is, "Get involved! The best place to both meet people and develop new knowledge/skills is in on-campus programs like project focus. Clubs, sports, and academic extracurriculars are all regarding in so many ways."

Thank you, Ben, for all your amazing work. We appreciate you!

Peer Mentor Highlight 

⭐️Ayah⭐️

This is Ayah's second semester with Project FOCUS. 

She is studying Psychology and Arabic.

Ayah shared her experience with Project FOCUS: 

"Project FOCUS has allowed me to meet and interact with a lot of new people, from the students, to the mentors, even to the teachers. It has helped me learn new things from the people around me and from the classes I mentor in. I like being part of something bigger and having the ability to help others."

A highlight from Ayah's time in Project FOCUS was, "A highlight from my time at Project FOCUS would have to be when I had some free time with a student and we went to check out the Arizona State Museum. Typically, that's not my thing, but this student wanted to go so we went and I got to learn a lot of things about indigenous culture and life. They had artifacts that encompassed parts of life I didn't even know existed because of the difference of culture and time period. It helped me see a different aspect to the world and I could tell that said student was really enjoying her time there as well and showing me all the things she liked in the Museum."

Ayah's words of wisdom for future college students is, "Don't let the stress of all four or more years get to you when you're first starting. College is something to be taken one step at a time because plans change and so do you, but it's not always a bad thing."

Thank you, Ayah, for being a part of the Project FOCUS team. We appreciate you!

Heading into this week with a grateful heart for all our donors past, present and future!