Dear Friends,
Imagine what it would be like for your child – perhaps the first in your family – to be
accepted to college with a full financial aid package, only to discover that you cannot
afford the substantial cost of essential dorm room and school supplies which are not
included in the financial aid award? This issue is rarely acknowledged even though the
additional financial burden on many families may be the difference between their child
being able to attend college or not. And this is precisely the problem that Freshman
Fresh Start (“FFS”) has been addressing, benefitting over 750 students since 2011.
An FFS package provides incoming college students with a “fresh start”. Like their peers,
our students arrive on campus to find their packages of brand-new dorm room and
school necessities, lessening the social and emotional burden of starting their college
experience at a tremendous disadvantage.
We are thrilled to report the following exciting FFS developments during 2021:
• FFS was able to send 142 financially disadvantaged, high-performing students to
colleges and universities across the nation with their dorm room essentials and school
supplies. This includes several students who experienced homelessness during high
school and 11 students from 2020 who were finally permitted to move on campus.
• FFS received a highly-selective six-year grant from the Cummings Foundation! As a
result of this infusion of funds – and the continued generosity of our donors – FFS was
able to increase the number of students we served in 2021 by almost 24%!
• We are delighted to share that our successful and transformational model is being
replicated to help students. With our mentorship, two women from Houston, TX
launched “Freshman Beginnings” in November 2021.
Please consider participating in our annual spring fundraiser so we can sponsor as many
students as possible next fall. The need continues to grow, however, the number of
students we can support is based entirely upon the amount of funds we raise each year.
We anticipate the cost of an FFS package to be $700, which will provide one student with all
of the items listed below.
Please visit our website at www.freshmanfreshstart.org to learn more about our
work and to contribute online. Or, you can send a check to:
Freshman Fresh Start,
P.O. Box 81126, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481-0001.
With deepest gratitude from us and the students of the Class of 2026,
Susan Tofias
Co-Founder
Ruth Weinstein
Co-Founder
Nancy Casper
Chairperson
Rebecca Kannam
Treasurer
—
DID YOU KNOW…
While many needy students receive financial aid, the cost of dorm supplies is not included. These are by no means luxuries; they are necessities of campus life.
What’s included in a Freshman Fresh Start package:
• Sheets
• Pillows
• Mattress Pad
• Blanket
• Comforter
• Towels
• Robe
• Shower Caddy
• Hangers
• Surge Protector
• Phone Docking Station
• Storage Containers
• Laundry Bag
• Backpack
• School Supplies
Recipients can choose the color of their comforter, sheet sets and towels from a number of options. Being awarded a Freshman Fresh Start package is considered a great honor. At graduation ceremonies, several high schools announce recipients of a Freshman Fresh Start package along with Merit Scholarship winners and other awards.
