Bermúdez Scholar Foundation
Encyclopedia
Bermudez Scholar Foundation(BSF) is an organization dedicated in helping high school students achieve success in their future careers. The organization is committed to help students find the necessary resources to achieve success in college careers. The foundation awards money every month to high school students who show leadership in academics and in the community. In addition, it also provides help to those students who seek advice for high school, college, and life success.
, Massachusetts
. Rolando J. Bermúdez formed the organization in the summer of 2010 while he completed research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
(M.I.T.) The organization was officially registered with the IRS on August, 2010. Between the months of June and August, Rolando fundraised more than $10,000 from companies around the east coast. Within four months, the organization received an extra $5,000 from other private donors. The organization gained popularity when Rolando came back to Berkeley, CA to continue his studies at the University of California, Berkeley
. On the month of September and October, more than 50 members joined the organization (professionals and volunteers).
as an immigrant. The business plan for the organization was initially written during the year of 2009 but was finalized on May, 2010 with the help of a new partner, Raymond Huynh. Later that year, the organization was registered as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3).
specialized in residential and small commercial construction. The second division is a landscaping company with services across southern California
. The last division is a non-profit organization, Bermúdez Scholar Foundation, with education services worldwide. However, the non-profit currently provides services mostly in northern California.
, a president
, and its members. There are three members of the board of directors, one president (chair of the board of directors) and currently more than 50 members.
Rolando J. Bermúdez envisioned this organization more than two years ago and after months of organization, he founded in 2010 what is now known as the Bermúdez Scholar Foundation. He was born and raised in a low-income family in Michoacan
, Mexico
. He grew up in a very supportive and loving family. However, access to education was always a challenge at a young age. Then, he immigrated to the United States at the age of twelve and with the help of friends and family he was able to get accepted at the University of California, Berkeley
as an engineer.
In spite of the fact that his career in college does not relate to promoting education, non-profits, or humanitarianism, he tries to get involved as much as possible in programs that allow him contribute to the community. As many other students of his age and/or background, he didn't have the resources to have a comfortable or stable high school experience. Even though he is still a student in college, he wants to help younger students that were once in his position. He understand that many students have the potential to succeed but unfair unforeseen conditions might not allow them to succeed in their lives.
His organization offers more than just counseling or scholarships, it offers a new windows of opportunities through the network of supporters, volunteers, and professional committed to the same goal. His main core beliefs for the future of students are embedded to the organization's core values. Rolando as well as team members will always be enforce those values throughout the life of this organization.
Growing up in a low-income community where the majority of the citizens are minorities, Raymond understood the value of education. He worked hard through four years at El Monte High School
, earning his place at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is completing his final year for a degree in engineering
. However, he realized that he could not have made it as far as he has on his own; he has received a lot of help from special friends he met throughout high school as well as a college preparatory program called Upward Bound, that pushed him to pursue higher education. These experiences help Raymond understand the value of help when one is in need and decided to join the Bermúdez Scholar Foundation to help provide opportunities for those in a position he once was in. He hopes that these opportunities will help students see that with help from the right people, they will succeed and make their vision of the world a reality.
Yescenia Bermúdez, the scholarship director, was a first generation college graduate from California State University, Northridge
in 2004. Her parents migrated to the U.S. from Mexico
in the 1970s seeking a better future for themselves and the family they planned to have. She grew up thinking that college was out of range due to her parents financial situation, but as she attended high school; her counselor and some teachers proved her wrong. After knowing that a college education wasn’t out of her range, she wanted to prove to herself and her family that she could do it and have a better future for herself and for her future family.
Due to her personal experiences, she knows how hard it is for a high school student to find college information and most importantly figure out how to pay for it. In order to succeed, not only professionally but also internally, she believes that honesty, persistence, and respect are very important qualities in a person. With these qualities in mind, her goal is to provide useful college information and offer a scholarship that will in some way contribute to the success of future college students. Together with Rolando Bermúdez, she hopes that her contribution to this organization will make a big difference in many future college students lives.
History
The Bermúdez Scholar Foundation was officially first organized in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Rolando J. Bermúdez formed the organization in the summer of 2010 while he completed research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
(M.I.T.) The organization was officially registered with the IRS on August, 2010. Between the months of June and August, Rolando fundraised more than $10,000 from companies around the east coast. Within four months, the organization received an extra $5,000 from other private donors. The organization gained popularity when Rolando came back to Berkeley, CA to continue his studies at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. On the month of September and October, more than 50 members joined the organization (professionals and volunteers).
Background
One of the cofounders of the organization, Rolando J. Bermúdez, thought of making the organization when he was a freshman at UC, Berkeley. The idea came from his nontraditional experience of growing in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as an immigrant. The business plan for the organization was initially written during the year of 2009 but was finalized on May, 2010 with the help of a new partner, Raymond Huynh. Later that year, the organization was registered as a non-profit organization under section 501(c)(3).
Umbrella Company
The parent umbrella company of the organization falls under Bermúdez Enterprise. The company was started in 2001 by the Bermúdez organization. The company currently holds three different divisions. The first established division is a general contractorGeneral contractor
A general contractor is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to involved parties throughout the course of a building project.-Description:...
specialized in residential and small commercial construction. The second division is a landscaping company with services across southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The last division is a non-profit organization, Bermúdez Scholar Foundation, with education services worldwide. However, the non-profit currently provides services mostly in northern California.
Future Plans
The organization is currently undergoing major re-structure in its Programs' division. When it was founded in 2010, the organization only focus on scholarships. However, on recent months, more resources and activity planning have been placed on programs for high school students. The organization has scheduled to open its programs to students on May, 2011.Awards and Major Donations
| Date | Award Amount | Category | Company |
|---|---|---|---|
| April, 2011 | $1,500 | Big Ideas @ Berkeley Award | UC Berkeley |
| December, 2010 | $3,000 | Donation | Perquo Inc |
| October, 2010 | $3,000 | Donation | Nike Nike, Inc. Nike, Inc. is a major publicly traded sportswear and equipment supplier based in the United States. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, which is part of the Portland metropolitan area... |
| August, 2010 | $2,000 | Donation | Jacobson Inc. |
Board of Directors
The non-profit organizational chart consists of a board of directorsBoard of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
, a president
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, and its members. There are three members of the board of directors, one president (chair of the board of directors) and currently more than 50 members.
Cofounder and President
(Rolando J. Bermúdez)Rolando J. Bermúdez envisioned this organization more than two years ago and after months of organization, he founded in 2010 what is now known as the Bermúdez Scholar Foundation. He was born and raised in a low-income family in Michoacan
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He grew up in a very supportive and loving family. However, access to education was always a challenge at a young age. Then, he immigrated to the United States at the age of twelve and with the help of friends and family he was able to get accepted at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
as an engineer.
In spite of the fact that his career in college does not relate to promoting education, non-profits, or humanitarianism, he tries to get involved as much as possible in programs that allow him contribute to the community. As many other students of his age and/or background, he didn't have the resources to have a comfortable or stable high school experience. Even though he is still a student in college, he wants to help younger students that were once in his position. He understand that many students have the potential to succeed but unfair unforeseen conditions might not allow them to succeed in their lives.
His organization offers more than just counseling or scholarships, it offers a new windows of opportunities through the network of supporters, volunteers, and professional committed to the same goal. His main core beliefs for the future of students are embedded to the organization's core values. Rolando as well as team members will always be enforce those values throughout the life of this organization.
Cofounder and Chief Program Director
(Raymond Huynh)Growing up in a low-income community where the majority of the citizens are minorities, Raymond understood the value of education. He worked hard through four years at El Monte High School
El Monte High School
El Monte High School, located in El Monte, California, is a high school of the El Monte Union High School District. It is one of the oldest high schools in the San Gabriel Valley. Founded in 1901, it began operation in a single, upstairs classroom in the old Lexington Avenue Grammar School, with an...
, earning his place at the University of California, Berkeley, where he is completing his final year for a degree in engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
. However, he realized that he could not have made it as far as he has on his own; he has received a lot of help from special friends he met throughout high school as well as a college preparatory program called Upward Bound, that pushed him to pursue higher education. These experiences help Raymond understand the value of help when one is in need and decided to join the Bermúdez Scholar Foundation to help provide opportunities for those in a position he once was in. He hopes that these opportunities will help students see that with help from the right people, they will succeed and make their vision of the world a reality.
Scholarship Director
(Yescenia Bermúdez)Yescenia Bermúdez, the scholarship director, was a first generation college graduate from California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
in 2004. Her parents migrated to the U.S. from Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in the 1970s seeking a better future for themselves and the family they planned to have. She grew up thinking that college was out of range due to her parents financial situation, but as she attended high school; her counselor and some teachers proved her wrong. After knowing that a college education wasn’t out of her range, she wanted to prove to herself and her family that she could do it and have a better future for herself and for her future family.
Due to her personal experiences, she knows how hard it is for a high school student to find college information and most importantly figure out how to pay for it. In order to succeed, not only professionally but also internally, she believes that honesty, persistence, and respect are very important qualities in a person. With these qualities in mind, her goal is to provide useful college information and offer a scholarship that will in some way contribute to the success of future college students. Together with Rolando Bermúdez, she hopes that her contribution to this organization will make a big difference in many future college students lives.