About WithinReach

Recipients, without exception, have powerful stories to share and big dreams that they are working towards.  They want to be doctors, nurses, graphic designers, architects, and entrepreneurs. One recipient’s words: “I want to offer my children a better life and set a good example about working hard and to always dream big even when things feel and look impossible in life”. Another said: “Leaving my family and the place where I was born was one of the hardest things I have ever done…but being able to go to college to get an education and make my family proud has helped me to keep going…going to college is not just an education for me, but it is my happiness.”

WithinReach is proud to support these students and turn what looks “impossible” into an achievable goal that brings personal satisfaction and happiness, along with academic success and possibilities for a better future. Every single dollar donated goes directly to scholarship recipients – all of our administrative work is done by volunteers and administrative costs are covered by a generous donor.  Please join us in our mission and help us support underserved adult learners!  Every bit counts.

The WithinReach Foundation was founded in 2014 with the belief that everyone deserves a chance at Higher Education. Students who come back to school fight against tremendous odds for self-betterment, and we are dedicated to making that process easier. We want to be sure they know they are not alone and that their hard work is recognized and rewarded.


Our organization provides full and partial scholarships to highly deserving and economically disadvantaged adult learners, who have passed the High School Equivalency exam and who don’t otherwise have the means to support themselves in their academic pursuits. In addition to the cost of tuition, we aspire to alleviate some of the financial strain associated with higher education – this may include the cost of books, transportation, or even childcare so that an applicant is able to attend school.

WithinReach has awarded over a quarter of a million dollars in scholarships and stipends since 2015. Many of our students go on to get Bachelor’s Degrees.  We have students who have moved on to City College, Brooklyn College, and even FIT.  The WRF continues to support these students with stipends and advisory services. Over 80% of scholarship recipients have maintained a 3.0 GPA, with the majority of those maintaining a GPA well over 3.5. 

When I started teaching in Adult Education in 2009, I had no idea the power of adult learning.  Adult learners are learning for the purpose of changing their lives.  They are changing the stories of their families, of their communities.  They are mothers, fathers, children sending money to home countries, and in many cases fighting against the odds to break the bonds of generational poverty.  They are determined and they deserve a chance.

 

There are many reasons adults need a second chance to earn their high school diplomas: death of a parent at an early age, the need to work to support families, early parenthood, childhood illness, inadequate and dangerous schools, and little access to education, particularly for girls, in the countries they grew up in. All arrive in adult education classes woefully underprepared academically, mainly as a result of deep poverty. Yet it is amazing how many of these students “catch fire” in the process of continuing their education. They thrive. They change their ideas about themselves. They become students. Many begin to dream of college.

 

Unfortunately their dreams of college are too seldom realized. Only 6% of those who earn HSE diplomas make it through one year of college. The principal reason is financial. Most simply do not have the money to attend college full time and complete degree programs. Jobs and families take precedent. Also, many adult students don’t have others to rely on help them navigate their college experience and academic workload.

 

That is why I founded the WithinReach Foundation—to give the deserving adult learners studying in our classes a fighting chance at completing the higher education they might otherwise only dream about. With your help, we will award full college scholarships each year to applicants whom we believe will succeed in college and make a positive difference in their communities. WithinReach Foundation will create networking events so that these students become ambassadors to the larger adult learning community. It is within your reach to bring college education within reach of these amazing High School Equivalency achievers. 

Founder’s Note

  • Jane Tarica

    CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

    Jane Tarica founded the WithinReach foundation in 2015. After graduating with a BA from Lehigh University and then an MFA from the New School for Drama, Jane decided to volunteer teaching underserved adult learners mathematics.  Jane started at the Women in Need Shelter in East New York. She has been teaching Adult Education Mathematics either a teacher, teacher leader, and curriculum developer since 2009 at BMCC’s department of Continuing Education. She has decided to return to school herself and will be studying Mathematics at Hunter University starting Fall of 2025. She is also on the board of a women’s dance company named Ariel Rivka Dance. Jane loves board games, bad tv, and spending time with her loving husband and two daughters.

  • Carole Amarakoon

    VICE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD

    Carole Amarakoon joined the board of directors at its inception in 2015. An experienced administrative professional & program coordinator, Carole has a background in non-profits, startups, and the life sciences. In her most recent role, Carole coordinated a fellowship program at a top-tier medical school while providing administrative support to a team of attending physicians at a world-renowned teaching hospital. She currently stays at home with her two children.Carole obtained her associate degree in Arts & Humanities from Cayuga Community College in Auburn NY before transferring to State University of New York College at Oswego (SUNY) where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in English Writing Arts.Inspired by the mission of the WithinReach Foundation, Carole is proud to play a role in helping to alleviate the financial burden of college tuition for our deserving award recipients.

    When she is not working with the foundation, Carole enjoys theater, music, and spending time with her husband and children.

  • C. Nikki Mills

    SECRETARY

    C. Nikki Mills is committed to supporting others and values service over self. Ongoing education was a cornerstone of her upbringing with the majority of her family members working in academia. In 2015, Nikki joined those ranks when she took on a teaching and staff role at the David Geffen School of Drama/Yale Repertory Theatre in Connecticut. Theatre production is a career but also passion; she has freelanced in project, stage, and props management at theaters across the country. Nikki is very interested in crafting and sustainability initiatives. Nikki was honored to join this board in 2021 and increase her participation as an executive member in 2023. Nikki is grateful to be able to apply her training and professional work to support NY learners and all of those in pursuit of a higher education. (updated 07/2024)

  • Michael Lewin

    TREASURER

    Michael Lewin lives in New York City and serves as a Director in the Commercial Real Estate Debt group at TPG Angelo Gordon.  He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BS in Economics.  He has always believed that education is critical to opening doors and is excited to help others achieve their goals with the help of WithinReach.  When he is not working with the foundation, Michael enjoys playing soccer and chess, hiking Upstate, and spending time with his wife, daughter, and two Ragdoll cats.  

  • Solange Farina

    STUDENT LIAISON

    Solange Farina is a lead teacher and literacy zone coordinator in the Adult Basic Education Program at the Borough of Manhattan Community College, CUNY. She has worked in the adult education field for over thirty years. Solange has presented at numerous conferences and has co-authored pieces published in Focus on Basics, ALM, and COABE. She is currently on the Literacy Committee of Symphony Space’s All Write! Program and a member of CAMI, the Community of Adult Math Instructors. She believes passionately in social justice and is proud to be on the board of WRF and help students access higher education and opportunities to improve their lives and communities.

  • Daria Walcott

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Daria Walcott was a first-generation college student back in the year 2000, and knows intimately the struggles of achieving an education when the odds and finances are near-impossible. The cause of WithinReach is near and dear to her heart. Professionally, Daria works as a Producer/Production Manager for theater and events. Personally, she lives in Central Harlem with her dog Bentley, and she loves roller skating, weightlifting, crafting and watching documentaries. 

  • Sarah Fliegel

    HEAD OF FUNDRAISING

    Sarah Fliegel is a Health and Wellness Coach. Sarah sits on the board of The Waverly as well as The WithinReach Foundation.  She is also Vice President of the Parents Association for The Montessori School at Flatiron.  Previously she worked as the Senior Director of Brand Management for the Frye Company where she oversaw brand operations and strategic planning in the areas of Merchandising, Sourcing, Sales, and Purchasing Sarah believes that the opportunity of education is something every person deserves and that when individuals have the ability to learn, our communities benefit and grow as well, both locally and globally.  The mission of WithinReach to give opportunity, support, and confidence to the members of our community who have the potential to make positive change for themselves and for others is a worthy one.

  • Angela Jooyuhn Woo

    Angela Woo is a Footwear designer and artist.  After graduating from RISD, she has been working in footwear Industry for over 20 years. Most recently, she worked as a senior design director for Frye for 12 years.  Angela’s recent personal health challenges have made her truly appreciate what is the most important things in life: family, friends, being kind to one another, and treating people in the way we all want to be treated. With her unique background and experiences, Angela hopes to help and encourage people to pursue higher education. Angela continues to work as footwear design consultant and is happily busy being a new mom!

  • Special mentions:

    Cofounder and Board Member Emeritus Drina Scheiber – Cofounder

    Board Member Emeritus – Jacob Campbell

The future is WithinReach.