Page 3 - July JSF report

HE’S A PIRATE
It was the fourth round. The man who’s supposed to know these things told him that this was his round to be picked. For as long as he had played the game, Hunter Furtado (my nephew) wanted to be a
professional baseball player. July 10th, 2023 was supposed to be the day it happened. With his family huddled around an iPhone, they followed the MLB draft, anxiously watching the fourth round end without his name. Then the fifth round ended ... without his name.
That afternoon, I thought a lot about Hunter and what had brought him to this day. Hunter was not a standout athlete as a little boy. But he grew up in an environment that permitted him to dream. He had teachers, coaches and family to encourage and challenge him.
As I watched the draft from the JSF office, I was reminded that there are common themes in successful student stories. JSF has worked hard to identify these elements and reflect them in our grant making.
The early innings matter. Engaging students early is critical to their long-term success. This understanding has led JSF to fund programs that engage students before they reach post-secondary education — in high school, junior high, elementary and even preschool.
Most barriers require money to mitigate them. And while financial assistance matters, it doesn’t fix the problem on its own. This acknowledgment serves JSF well. All successful student stories require funding, and these financial needs are not restricted to tuition and books. Sometimes they come in the form of food, gas, clothes or transportation. JSF works with grantees to effectively fund these unmet needs for students.
Once the basic needs are met, mentoring is key. Think of coaches, parents, teachers, family and others who offer insight, encouragement and accountability to students. This support is important for any student’s success. Often, disadvantaged students lack guidance in critical life decisions. Consequently, JSF prioritizes programs that provide mentoring and wrap-around services — and the results are dynamic. Students can benefit from mentors, programs, funding and opportunity, but ultimately, they must persevere to succeed.
In round six, pick 167, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Hunter Furtado. Yes, it helps that he’s now 6’4” and can throw 98 from the left side with movement. But it took more than that to get there.
Robert A. Krause
Page 1 HORIZONS