Tom Zara, Tutor and Business Owner, Zara Tutoring, Winning Futures Class of 2001 While a student at Warren Mott High School, Tom had a series of surgeries that limited his mobility and affected his motivation. With help from his Winning Futures mentor, Tom learned about goal setting, overcoming adversity, and … Read More »
Hollie Gilmore, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, Winning Futures Class of 2000 As a teen at Warren Mott High School, Hollie struggled with depression and low self-esteem. She knew college would be great for her but didn’t have the money. Classroom facilitator and Warren Consolidated Schools teacher, … Read More »
Joe Owens, Senior Representative – Vending Service Center, MSC Industrial Supply, Winning Futures Class of 2003 At a young age, Joe Owens was forced to take on more adult responsibilities than he could reasonably handle. His parents’ relationship was falling apart, leaving him to take care of his autistic younger … Read More »
Dipita Das, Student, University of Michigan Winning Futures Class of 2017 Dipita’s family immigrated to the U.S. in 2000. As the only fluent English-speaking person at home, Dipita’s responsibilities included helping her siblings with homework, translating for her parents, and making sure bills got paid. She struggled to balance the … Read More »
Deshawn Wafer, Students, University of Michigan, Winning Futures Class of 2007 Deshawn was in the Winning Futures program his freshman year at Harper Woods High School. He excelled in the program and applied for a Cupp-Hamilton Scholarship but was not successful. Program Facilitator, Bryan Howard, encouraged him to keep focusing … Read More »
Lori Gulecki, Financial Analyst, Kelly Services, Winning Futures Class of 1998 When Lori was a student at Warren Mott High School, she didn’t have a plan for her future, and her grades were slipping. It wasn’t until she joined the Winning Futures program her senior year that she began to … Read More »
Melvin Akins III, Contractor, James White Enterprises Winning Futures Class of 2013 Melvin’s mother died when he was in 8th grade, leaving his 21-year-old sister to raise him and his four other siblings. Melvin was suddenly weighed down by adult responsibilities, was frequently in trouble at school, and had little … Read More »
Jennifer Brubaker, Executive Director, Gianna House Winning Futures Class of 2000 Growing up, Jennifer bounced around from school to school until she finally landed at Cousino High School in Warren. When she started in the Winning Futures program, she was suffering from low self-esteem and didn’t believe she had a … Read More »
Lourin Younan, Undergraduate Student, Wayne State University Winning Futures Class of 2016 Lourin immigrated to the United States from Iraq when she was 8 years old. She’d struggled with self-confidence from trying to juggle her new American life and her Chaldean identity. As a senior at Madison High School, Lourin … Read More »
Terrell White, Jr., Executive Assistant, Porter Media Group, Owner, Innovative Choice, Winning Futures Class of 2018 As a senior at Cornerstone Health + Technology, Terrell had big dreams for his future, but needed a little help from business mentors to achieve his goals. His Winning Futures mentor Michael Wooley, senior … Read More »