Removing Barriers to Success
How this private foundation is finding unique solutions to common obstacles.
Although much of Lori Cushman’s professional experience lies in software and technical sales and consulting, philanthropy has always played a role in her career.
She’s volunteered as Program Coordinator for United Way of Chester County and has served on the boards of charities like the Coventry Lions Club and West Chester Area Education Foundation.
Now she’s President at Justamere Foundation, working with schools and non-profits to promote family sustaining incomes through assistance programs and education.
“In everything we do, we’re looking for those gaps that are not covered under traditional methods,” Lori says. “The impediments that keep kids from fulfilling their goals.”
“What first struck me is how much work the University does to keep the homeless population engaged and in school — getting them over those humps to a better tomorrow.”
So she connected with the Corporate & Foundation Relations Office at West Chester University Foundation to explore how she could support programs that align with her mission.
In 2021, Justamere Foundation made a generous gift to help establish the Fund for Unpaid Internships and the Emergency Transportation Fund, both geared towards ensuring students don’t turn down internships because of financial barriers or lack of transportation. In many cases, students who receive stipends are able to leave part time jobs that are unrelated to their career goals to pursue internships that are directly aligned with their future plans.
During the 2021-22 academic year, WCU’s Twardowski Career Development Center awarded $88,700 in stipends to 46 students — eighty percent of awarded students received academic credit for their internships.
Justamere’s commitment to creating opportunities is evident in its philanthropic support, which totals over $150,000 to WCU, and it will continue to grow.
“If we break the chain now,” says Lori, “we’re not just helping them, but also the generations to come.”
Lori Cushman
President, Justamere Foundation
“If we break the chain now,” says Lori, “we’re not just helping them, but also the generations to come.”
“In everything we do, we’re looking for those gaps that are not covered under traditional methods. The impediments that keep kids from fulfilling their goals.”
Creating Opportunity
As a Secondary English Education major, Madison MacLean ’23 is using extracurricular opportunities to put her passion into practice.
Her first year on campus, Madison attended a student involvement fair and learned of a tutoring position at the local Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center, offered through WCU’s Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact. Now in her senior year, she’s a member of the leadership team and serves as Site Leader for the New Directions program for K-8 students, designing the
curriculum and helping to facilitate daily procedures.
“I’ve used my knowledge as an educator to support students with reading and writing and have worked on classroom management, behavior management, and emotional support,” she says.
“Many of the students I work with come from adverse experiences, and the minor in Youth Empowerment and Urban Studies has really equipped me to do that. The better the program is, the better I can serve the kids — that’s what’s most important.”
Madison received WCU’s 1871 Award for her leadership efforts working on education-equity for under-resourced students.
