above: Graduation Ceremony at UConn Stamford.
How Vision Met Purpose
When Future 5 founder and visionary Clif McFeely found himself serving as a mentor to a young man at the large nonprofit he was volunteering for at the time, he quickly realized that he alone couldn’t provide all the support needed to guide his mentee to success. McFeely saw firsthand that it takes a team of people (at least five) to help guide a student, who is motivated but under-resourced, down the right path to meet their educational, career and life goals. While still working as an advertising executive, but also driven by his passion to continue assisting low-income high school students and helping them navigate positive futures, McFeely officially launched his own nonprofit, Future 5, in March 2009.
The Power of Connection
Headquartered downtown at its new location at 4 Landmark Square, Future 5 reaches 200 Stamford-based core students annually and actively works with 400 members each year. Currently, the 69 seniors involved with Future 5 have received more than 400 acceptances to more than 123 colleges, trade schools and military or certificate programs. From providing academic assistance, to helping students find ways to give back in the community, to college prep, post-secondary planning and health and wellness education, Future 5 helps its students in a plethora of ways that are all essential for success. “Future 5 believed in me. Everyone affirmed me, encouraged me, and made me believe I could do whatever I wanted to do,” says Breana, a Future 5 graduate and Class of 2026 student at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Since 2009, Future 5 has served more than 960 student members through connections that have helped build their confidence and skill sets, setting them up for success. Continued support is provided all the way through early career hood with the hope that students will choose to give back and pay it forward by volunteering to help other students following in their footsteps. “I would never have known about the life-changing opportunity at Quinnipiac University or how to apply without the connections I made at Future 5. My journey at Future 5 has had an incredible impact on my life and my future. Not only have I found a community to belong to, but I’ve also made strong friendships and important connections along the way,” says Nico, a Future 5 graduating senior entering Quinnipiac University’s Class of 2029.
Getting Involved
Stamford-based school counselors understand the criteria for making a solid Future 5 candidate can help direct the right students toward the program. GPA doesn’t matter, but motivation and a lack of access to the same resources as their peers do. Those interested can apply online, attend information sessions, and participate in intro programs to see what they think prior to signing on for the signature “Here to There” six-week immersive program. “Here to There” delves into personal hopes, dreams and even gremlins and how they can be tackled. With over 130 active volunteers, every Future 5 student has their own college coach and career advisor to guide them through every step of their process. “The students, the members and our young people are so incredible. They all come in with such opportunity and potential, and to see that develop is just incredible. It’s an honor to be part of it all,” says Amanda Dubois-Mwake, Executive Director at Future 5.
The Future of Future 5
“I’d love to see Future 5 raise its profile to the point where people in Stamford know when they see a kid who is motivated, but just needs some support, that we are the first thing they think of for that student. I’d also like to see the continued support of local companies and organizations that can help offer our students opportunities, while also helping meet the needs of the community,” says Dubois-Mwake. Community service and giving back in a reciprocal fashion are always at top of mind for Future 5. Whether it be a partnership with Fairgate Farms, Person to Person, Pollinator Pathway or Stamford Downtown, there are always ways for students to get involved. Through programs like tree planting events and mobile food pantries, there are endless leadership roles to be filled, which not only help build a sense of pride and purpose, but also add meaningful distinction to college applications and resumes. Over the next four years, the goal is to expand engagement and add 13% a year to the number of active students Future 5 can assist.
For more information or to learn about ways to get involved with Future 5, visit futurefive.org.
Noteworthy Numbers
64% of Future 5 students took on 0% debt as entering college freshmen
Students earned more than $764,000 in institutional/merit aid with the support of more than 130 volunteers and over 75 corporate and community partners
More than 960 students over the last 15 years served by Future 5
99% of Future 5 students have graduated high school and landed with a plan