Helping the Next
Generation Get to College

I became involved with the First-Gen program when my friend Deisy Escobar reached out to me over the summer before my first semester of college. She described a worthwhile program whose objective was to help minorities in Berkshire County, and I was more than willing to help in any way that I could.

As a low-income, first-generation Caribbean Latino, I had the incredible privilege of attending a boarding high school and transitioning to a top 50 university. Throughout my education, I have gained valuable insight, connections, and experience in terms of how to handle being away from home, navigating and understanding the financial aid process for both boarding schools and University, the recruitment process as a student athlete, and being a minority in a predominantly white America. I genuinely enjoy helping and meeting new people, so when I was presented with this opportunity, I knew I wanted to share my experiences and knowledge with students in my community in hopes of making a difference in someone’s life.

I have been working with Andy since September of 2024. I presented myself as a student, athlete, mentor, resource, and friend. I wanted Andy to feel comfortable with me throughout this process. His biggest goals are to play collegiate soccer and pay as little as possible for college. (Who wouldn’t want that?) We mostly communicate over iMessage. While he was working on his applications, I would check in to see how they were coming along, what schools he was looking at, and how his academic standing was. In early November, I met with Andy and his mom over Zoom to discuss the financial process—the FAFSA, the CSS profile, and possible scholarship opportunities. I sent him several schools that I thought might have been of some interest to him, and I provided him with the same email and video template I used to send to coaches when attempting to get recruited. 

The way I see it, LitNet has the potential to pose a significant presence not only within Berkshire County but in the entire state of Massachusetts. LitNet’s objective to help minority students and families attain financial literacy, aspire for higher education, and bring people together is something that I believe is worthy. LitNet has and will continue to make an impact on students’ lives.

Andy immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador during his junior year of high school. His mother is enrolled with LitNet for English tutoring, and she attended a First-Generation College Support Program presentation about filling out the FAFSA at the Pittsfield Library in early 2024. After that, Andy came to the LitNet office and told us about his wish to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and play college-level soccer. He seemed a natural fit for Dennis, a First-Gen mentor and soccer player who is a current student at Northeastern University. Andy was also paired with LitNet tutor Diane, who interacted with Andy’s guidance team about his path to college and who helped him complete his applications by the deadline. LitNet also put Andy in touch with the soccer coach at MCLA. The interactions Andy had with Dennis, Diane, and the coach were the sort of interactions a non-immigrant or second-generation college applicant might have more readily been exposed to. Because of you and LitNet, students like Andy now have the same opportunities.

We’re so proud to announce that Andy was recently accepted to MCLA!

They say it takes a village. Sometimes, you have to create the village!

I practiced general pediatrics for 30 years in Berkshire County and had the privilege and joy of working with patients from birth into early adulthood. As a pediatrician, much of my work was preventative: reviewing immunizations, diet, developmental milestones, safety, etc… Increasingly, I found myself talking about literacy and education. I often spoke with parents about reading to young children and communicating with teachers. I found myself coaching patients (and young parents) to finish high school and make plans beyond.

There is a saying that education is the best immunization. People who are educated are healthier. They make more money, which allows them access to better healthcare, safer housing, healthier food, and reliable transportation. But accessing higher education has become increasingly difficult in this country. Wanting to go to college and having a supportive family are critical but aren’t necessarily enough to guarantee success. School guidance counselors and teachers are helpful but don’t always have the time and resources for the individual attention each student needs.

For first-generation students, especially those with families who have a limited understanding of English, having a mentor or tutor can make all the difference. FAFSA forms, the Common Application, comparing financial aid packages—these all present a challenge to those with no familial experience of applying to college in this country.

I volunteered to help Andy and other first-gen students because I believe in changing the world one person/one family at a time. It’s what I did in my career, and it’s what I want to continue doing in my retirement. This program is starting to fill an important void in this community, opening doors to higher education for students with potential but without the privilege to open them on their own. I’m excited to be part of the program and to see how it can grow.