Chicago, IL September 26, 2009: The Apareció Foundation (www.AparecióFoundation.org) is a registered, non-profit, 501(c)(3) charity geared toward the development of a four year renewable scholarship program designed to accelerate achievement for low-income, high-potential women in Chicago Public High Schools. Utilizing a group-mentoring model, the student mentoring initiative creates opportunities for our women scholars to connect with professional women from a wide range of industries over the course of six years.

By creating strategic partnerships with like-minded community-based organizations, local government agencies, business leaders, and educators, our long-term mentoring relationships provide opportunities for both experiential learning and advanced professional development. These transformational interactions result in enduring and empowering changes by instilling confidence and credibility in our young women.

Jessica N. George is the Executive Director and Founder of The Apareció Foundation in Chicago. Prior to founding The Apareció Foundation, Ms. George worked in the Midwest office of J.P. Morgan Private Bank and was an Office Manger for Providus, a Legal Staffing Firm in Chicago and served as an Assistant Buyer in the Corporate Office of Jimmy John's Enterprises, Inc. in Champaign, IL. She is an active member of community and heads the Events Committee for Urban Gateways' New Art Forum, Co-edits Bright Pink's Newsletter and is a member of the Junior League of Chicago. Ms. George holds a BA from the University of Illinois (Champaign-Urbana) and resides in the South Loop.

“The true quality of education is the celebration of individual talent and our programs are designed with the whole student in mind. If anything truly defines The Apareció Foundation, it is the value we attach to giving our scholars room to innovate by following their passions. Each program is meant to connect the content of learning with a lifelong experience that will ensure the development of self-confidence, discipline, pursuit of individual talents, and the creation of strong beliefs and values in our women scholars” Ms. George stated about the Apareció Foundation.