UNLAD

OVER THE PAST DECADE…

Terry, Allen and their kids, Alexandra and Philip, have supported the vision of UNLAD.

In the USA, this includes

• The Piedmont Virginia Community College, with financial literacy programs and the “First American Fund,” a scholarship to support the educational needs of  immigrants and first-generation Americans.

• Professional development for the women in the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. Terry taught personal finance and financial literacy to a group of women who earned their GED’s and pursuing an Associate’s degree offered on-site by PVCC, and funded by Ms. Doris Buffet’s The Sunshine Lady Foundation Inc.

• A needs-based paid internship with the Museum of Contemporary Arts, Chicago (MCA) for college undergraduate immigrants and first-generation Americans.

“As a recipient of the 2018 Terry Samala de Guzman and Family award through the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, my artistic and academic journey has truly been enriched by her family’s contribution in creating opportunities for students and artists alike to not only excel, but provide them the confidence and support to go after their dreams entirely. Even from the first meeting with Terry, Allen, and their children, they all displayed an unwavering amount of faith and support in my abilities to grow professionally and through my artistic practice. Terry and her family, in more ways than one made me feel immensely validated for the type of work I was interested in making. Being a first-generation college student, and choosing to study art as a career path, is not always the easiest, but having someone who could championed the nuances, depth, and importance of speaking about cross-cultural experiences that I expressed, made me feel incredibly seen and connected to her and her family.

Since my time at the MCA, I have gone onto graduating with my BFA, receiving a Luminarts fellowship and artist grant, and completing several art exhibitions overseas, and much of it is in part and in gratitude toward Terry and Allen for instilling such positive mentorship and direction in me. I am a witness of the long-lasting, and rewarding effect of their generosity, and know they will continue the fulfilling practice of creating opportunities for other students like myself through UNLAD.”

— Leah Solomon

In the Philippines, they have worked with the Baruyan Elementary School (BES), in Terry’s native city of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. Located in a farming community five kilometers from Calapan, the school serves about 400 kids (K-6th Grade). The school and its students had many needs that were not supported by public school funding. Using their own resources and the assistance of family and friends, Terry, Allen, Alexandra and Philip partnered with BES towards addressing these needs, and successfully completed several projects, including:

Potable drinking water in the school premises

While there was water supply within the school grounds, a filtration system was required to make the water potable. Allen facilitated a partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Charlottesville (USA) and Calapan (Philippines) to install a filtration system, providing the kids access to drinking water when they needed it.

School supplies for the kids

While tuition is free, the kids still need basic school supplies: pencils, crayons, notebooks, paper. Alexandra conducted a “supplies drive” with her tennis clients and the not-for-profit Upcycle and set over 100 backpacks loaded with the school supplies directly to students most in need.

A Volleyball Court

Consistent with her belief that extracurricular activities enriches a child’s education and personal development, Alexandra organized a “Race for the Future” campaign, raising funds that enabled BES to build a volleyball court that has become a “center court” for all the kids.

Library and Computers

Terry and her sisters worked with the not-for-profit organization, “Books for Barrios” to supply the BES Library with appropriate and adequate books for the entire school.

Allen worked with Charlottesville -based Computer4Kids in securing much needed computer hardware for some of BES’ classrooms.

A Kindergarten Class

BES previously lacked a kindergarten program, which its principal reported was critical to get students enrolled in grade school at all. Terry provided seed funding to start a kindergarten class. With high enrollment in a successful pilot, the city stepped in to sustain the program.

Scholarships and Extracurricular Activities

The cost of school supplies, uniforms, lunch, and participation in extracurricular activities make school attendance cost-prohibitive to most families in this farming community. Scholarships to support these needs have been a regular focus. Alexandra and Philip respectively funded a summer program for athletics and the performing arts.