Summer 2025 Newsletter
Attaining a college degree is an incredible achievement for our students, but there is another important step that our graduates must take—they need to find employment in their fields of study. It can be intimidating to figure out how to find job opportunities, write an effective resume, and prepare for job interviews, especially for those who are the first in their families to graduate from college.
To make it easier for our graduates to enter the workforce, in May, we hosted our first ever mentorship career workshop. Led by 6 of our college graduates, employed in the fields of business, education, human resources, and IT, the event provided third- and fourth-year college students with the skills and confidence they’ll need to find a job after graduation. The event was attended by 26 of our current college students, and was coordinated and hosted by our NGO partner, the KapatidKita MahalKita Foundation (KMF).
During this one-day event, attendees heard presentations from alumni, who shared their job hunting struggles and successes, as well as their expertise. Students received one-on-one resume feedback tailored to specific industries, participated in mock interviews, and connected with other scholars in their fields of study. As the KMF reported, “Hearing real stories from people who were once in their shoes made everything feel more possible and relatable for our scholars.”
Looking forward, both KMF and PH are committed to building strong student-alumni connections through an annual mentorship career workshop. We are so grateful to the KMF staff, who ensured that the workshop was a success and have maintained strong relationships with our college graduates. And of course, none of this would have been possible without the mentors, who took time from their busy lives to share their knowledge and experiences with our current students.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLASS OF 2025!
Join us in celebrating the 14 sponsored students and 2 ASH scholars who graduated from college this spring! Stephenson R. graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship. Bachelor of Secondary Education graduates Marycel O. and Albert S. have already been hired as private school teachers
CLASS OF 2024 SEES FIVE NEW EDUCATORS
In the spring, 5 members of the class of 2024 passed the Licensure Examination for Teachers, which allows them to start their careers in the Filipino public school system. Diane Grace C. (Sponsors Mike & Natalie J.), Sharmaine T. (ASH Scholar), and Emalyn N. (Sponsors Gale & Sue L.) will teach English, Melody C. (ASH Scholar) will teach Mathematics, and Daisy T. (Sponsors Gale & Sue L.) will teach Science. These new educators know the immense value of education, and will no doubt be effective and successful teachers.
2026 IS SET TO BE THE LARGEST GRADUATING CLASS BY FAR
29 students—10 ASH Scholars and 19 sponsored students—are set to graduate from college next spring. This is a big jump from our largest class to date, which numbers 18. This growth is made possible by our generous student sponsors, as well as everyone who has supported our annual fundraising event, Project Hope, which provides the majority of funding for our ASH College Scholarship Program.
36 STUDENTS RECEIVED COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Named after our founder, the Amelia S. Hernandez (ASH) College Scholarship Program provides recipients with one-year college scholarships to cover their educational costs.
For the 2025-2026 school year, the Board of Directors granted ASH scholarships to 36 students, 9 of whom are new to the program. These 36 students have joined 84 other college students, who are a part of the Student Sponsorship Program.
PAYING IT FORWARD
Two of our college graduates are “paying it forward.” Both Mary Grace M. (Class of 2011 and a Biology teacher) and Jean Bernadette E. (Class of 2014 and licensed teacher) are providing educational support to students in Payatas. Many more of our college graduates are providing educational support for their younger siblings. It is these charitable actions that have the power to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty.
We are honored to have the Most Reverend Oscar A. Solis, Bishop of Salt Lake City, as the keynote speaker at Project Hope 2025. Born in the same town as our co-founder, Diosdado Hernandez, Bishop Solis found his way to Utah in 2017, when he was installed as the tenth bishop by the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.
Bishop Solis is the first Filipino-American bishop ordained in the United States. In 2023, he was an honoree of the Carnegie Corporation of New York’s Great Immigrants Award, which recognizes immigrants who have “made notable contributions to the progress of American Society.” We look forward to hearing his perspectives on the Philippines, the power of education to change lives, and the value of charity.
Please join us on Saturday, September 13, 2025 for our annual gala to raise funds to educate impoverished students in the Philippines. The money raised at this event allows us to grow our college scholarship program, support our extraordinary NGO in the Philippines, and provide much-needed food assistance.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
The Most Reverend
Oscar A. Solis
Bishop of Salt Lake City
TIME
WHERE
5:30 – 6:30 pm: Reception & Silent Auction Review
6:30 – 7:00 pm: Keynote Speaker Bishop Solis
7:00 – 8:00 pm: Dinner & Program
Zions Bank Founders Room
1 Main Street, 18th Floor
City Creek Center
Salt Lake City, Utah
Attend:
Purchase tickets and join us for an evening of fun and giving.
Donate:
If you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference.
Sponsor:
Businesses and individuals can sponsor the event. Sponsorship packages are available with various levels of recognition
For more information, please contact: Cori Sutherland, Executive Director
cori@philippineshumanitarian.org or call (801) 613-8189