Lara Glaister

What was your most meaningful experience with CMF?

Let’s see, it really is quite hard for me to find the words to express how meaningful my experiences have been with CMF. There is no better feeling than being able to tell someone that you can help and I am so thankful for having gotten to learn that through the Foundation.

In looking back through out all these years, I would have to say that my relationship with one specific student, Leslie, through the Mentor Program is something that I am most proud about. When I first met Leslie, she was top of her Senior High School class had decent SAT scores yet she was told by her college counselor at her school in the Bronx that Manhattan College would be her best bet for her in terms of her grades and a scholarship… oh and “they also would give her a free computer.”– which she liked too.  Being that she was so driven I looked into some other college choices for her. I went to CMF’s college counselor for guidance and was told that Leslie should try for MIT or Columbia.

Leslie ended up getting a full scholarship at Columbia University and is now an working as an engineer at Proctor & Gamble.  We have continued to stay in touch to this day. While she was a Junior at University I apparently even inspired her to fulfill her dream to go abroad to Africa after hearing about my visits there where she worked in Ghana for a micro-finance brigade.  I remember sharing this news with Mrs. Morrison and of course she wanted to help, not only fund her trip yet the Foundation also was able to help buy medications for the brigade as well.

When Leslie returned from her trip she wrote to me:
I hope everything is going well. I just got back from Ghana yesterday. It was an amazing experience that I wish to repeat every year. As part of our micro-finance project, we introduced a shareholder model to micro-bank of a small, rural community. It was a life-changing experience.

I guess all I really did was give her the confidence to try for a better school and through that both of our lives have changed through sharing our experiences with each other in ways that I wish I could describe and having such a friendship simply makes me so happy.

Jameson McFadden

What is your favorite moment working with the students?

My favorite moment was taking my student, who is a huge Yankee fan, to Jorge Posada’s final regular season game as a Yankee. We spoke about his schools of choice and how he’d like to continue pitching in college. He has had an intense love for the game since his childhood years growing up in Puerto Rico. When we spoke during the game, I was impressed by the courage he summoned after leaving his friends behind and moving to the United States not speaking a word of English. I think the confidence he gained by overcoming this adversity enabled him to become the salutatorian in his highly competitive school. Courage and confidence are two commonly held attributes I have noticed in students of the Chelsea Morrison Foundation.

Nora Bass

What has been your favorite part of working with CMF?

My favorite part of working with the Chelsea Morrison Foundation is being involved in such an exciting and important time in the lives of our students. These are such exceptionally talented and gifted young people who are excited about their future. When I talk to our students about their ambitions and goals or work with them as a mentor, I enjoy feeling like I am helping reinforce all the hard work they do and getting them to their next step. The students inspire me to stay motivated, and hopefully I do the same for them! It’s wonderful to share moments of true connection with young men and women who are determined and passionate about their future, and to be there for them when they need me. The Chelsea Morrison Foundation gives students positive experiences they will never forget, and neither will I!

Paul Simon

You were the one who investigated the idea of working with NYC’s Ronald McDonald House. Can you tell us about that?

I remember when we first started looking for charitable partners to align with for the foundation. We had one goal – find a partner that embodies the spirit of Chelsea. We reviewed several different foundations including NYC’s Ronald McDonald house. Aunt Jody made the initial trip to meet the directors, but I went with her shortly after to meet the staff, see the facilities, and most importantly…meet the families. My aunt was particularly excited to go back again, and I shortly learned why. The spirit of everyone in the place was joyful and honest. Even though these families and children were going through the toughest of times, they were still filled with hope and excitement for life. Immediately walking out of the place, my Aunt Jody and I had dinner and we decided that our next partnership would be with this foundation. This place had everything that reminded us of Chelsea. There was an endearing passion shared between the staff and residents of the house. There was a determination shared by each family member to get through all the hard times – and to do it together. Most importantly there was an infectious, caring presence that mirrored the one Chelsea had throughout her life.

 
And so you designed “A Day in the Country” with all of the families. There is an amazing photograph of you with a small child asleep on your shoulder as you seemed to walk through the apple fields. Tell us about him and your friendship that day.

What a fun, unforgettable day! Organizing the event had its challenges, but meeting the families and children the morning of the trip made it all worth it. After taking a long bus ride with endless rounds of singing “Wheels on the Bus (Go Round and Round)”, we arrived to the orchard to do some apple picking and create some adventures through the pumpkin patches! The weather was gorgeous. All of the CMF members were unintentionally quickly drawn towards a particular family or child and shared the full day with them. My particular new friend was a big fan of the hat I wore that day. He quickly jumped on my back and I gave him a piggyback ride through the pumpkin patch all day. We had an incredible time and spent an unforgettable day together. Chelsea was definitely with us for the trip.

Nick Oleary

What has been the most standout memory of your experiences with CMF?

Reading the first college application essay from a CMF student with whom I was paired – an exceptionally self-reflective, poignant story of the student discovering her passion for helping those with developmental disabilities. I was awed, and in discussing and helping to revise the essay, I forged a true connection with my CMF buddy.

Do you feel that your work with students has a legitimate impact on their lives?

Unquestionably (and the impact is reciprocal!). The relationships that I cultivate with students through CMF help to bridge critical gaps in access to resources and information during the daunting college process. From choosing target schools to navigating financial aid, the students benefit greatly from having a mentor and advocate. Moreover, and arguably equally important, CMF allows me to serve as a “sounding board” and source of encouragement for the students during a uniquely stressful time.

Maura Smith

Can you describe a favorite CMF volunteer effort?

Personally, I think the most rewarding CMF volunteer program I was a part of was the mentoring high school students. The program matched (us) volunteers with a rising high school junior as a part of their college application process.

So…on a lovely humid summer night in NYC…we were matched with our students. Of course, I was matched with the only student whose mother was also present…no pressure!!! Renee and I immediately shared a similar sense of humor and hit it off. Renee was not only the first member of her family to apply to college; she had never actually traveled outside of the tri-state area. When asked what I took away from my childhood and educational experiences, I immediately responded that traveling and seeing as much of the world as you can while in a student role has had life changing effects. I encouraged Renee (with parental permission!) to take the Bolt bus up to Boston and look at Boston University. I had spent a semester abroad through a program of theirs and ended up working at National Geographic while living in London. I absolutely loved the program and am still close with my flat mates from it. So Renee took the Bolt bus to Boston…and fast forward to 2014. Renee is graduating from Boston University this spring!!! AND SHE HAS A JOB LINED UP!!! Actually, just a few weeks ago she shared the below announcement:

I think it’s about time I officially announce that, after graduation, I will be working as a Customer Relations Consultant with EF College Break located right in Boston! Education First (EF) is an international education company that seeks to break down barriers of language, culture, and geography through programs such as language training, educational travel, academic degrees, and cultural exchanges. College Break (CB) hosts several educational travel trips for anyone 18-26, such as the trip I took to London and Paris for New Year’s (www.gofundme.com/4kuyyc)! I’m beyond excited and blessed to be working with them in a few months and begin to help prepare future travelers for an incredible experience abroad as they did for me. www.efcollegebreak.com

Renee wrote me a heartfelt thank-you for being a mentor figure to her over the years and I just have to say that when I first read her announcement, I was SO overwhelmed with pride. It is just an awesome feeling to witness the positive influence one person can have.

Ashley Knowlton

Would you share with us your most memorable experience with CMF?

It’s difficult to make note of the most memorable experience I’ve had with CMF, as every moment during my many years with the program was so very special…quite honestly, the first year I participated was a game changer for me. We spent the day picking apples and pumpkins with the parents and children of the Ronald McDonald foundation. This experience solidified my love not only for the CMF program, but for the people and lives we were touching. At the root of this program, and why this program even exists, is our dear Chelsea. Her spirit, her fearless love for doing good deeds and her passion to help others was ALWAYS at the very core of what we did. Whether it was that special day picking apples, meeting the students for that particular year for the first time, hearing about the victories and triumphs of getting into college and even spending evenings with our fellow CMF ambassadors, Chelsea’s spirit continually shined through. CMF is truly a magical program for anyone who simply wants to do good deeds and impact someone’s life for the better. It’s as simple as that. I will never forget my experiences with this life-changing program or the people that made it what it is today!

Caitlin Williams

You were Chelsea’s best friend since first grade and I know the family goes to you as a ‘control check’ before they agree on any new project. How do you help her mom and brother?

I am so lucky to be extremely close with the Morrisons and to have spent the time that I did with Chelsea. For a project to be on the CMF table in the first place, I already know that the core goal of the project is in line with our motto of “do[ing] good deeds in her name.” What I immediately think about is how we can most effectively achieve our goal and put the project into action. I want to make sure we will be able to successfully and completely fulfill our obligations to the best of our ability before we commit to them. Being able to complete a project in whole, while maintaining high standards is extremely important to me. Chelsea was a good, loyal friend who went above and beyond to help others — I want that reflected in the work we do and planning is essential to making sure that happens. We want to be a foundation that keeps our word like she was a friend who kept hers.

Do you have a favorite volunteer moment?

I have many favorite moments through the years but there is one that particularly sticks out in my mind. In 2005 CMF did a community service project where we painted classrooms at NYC’s PS 191. At the time, many of us were still in college — it was so much fun for everyone to come together after not seeing each other for a few months and join together to actually go to work for a good cause. Many of us brought friends from college who were not from New York and were just learning about the foundation. I remember looking around the room at one point, wearing my CMF t shirt and covered in various colors of paint, and seeing friends of friends coming together joyfully for this good cause. I was so proud to be a part of it and I knew Chelsea would be proud. I felt that moment really exemplified what the foundation is all about – good friends coming together and becoming a family to do work for a good cause.

Emily Haight

You have been involved with CMF since you graduated. How do you feel the organization has evolved?

I am honored to have been involved with CMF throughout various projects and initiatives over the last 8+ years. While the organization has grown in size and scope, it has remained focused on its founding principles and maintaining a familial atmosphere. CMF has always had a unique ability to respond quickly to student’s needs, which has only improved as the organization has grown. As an example, the foundation realized they had young, educated professionals who were eager to volunteer their time, and decided to pair them with local high school students to help edit their college essays, study for SATS, etc.

Do you feel CMF has impacted your life since graduation?

Yes, absolutely. I was tangentially involved with the organization through friends when I was in college and was very excited to participate in more events once I moved to New York.  I was very thankful to be involved with such an amazing and motivated group of individuals, especially as a recent graduate in a new city. The organization has been a wonderful constant over the past years, it has been very exciting to be a part of the new initiatives and meet so many new participants.