'96 Fellow Janice Shimokubo used her business smarts to approach her project. She explained, "I'm in marketing, so I'm always thinking, 'Where are the needs?' There are a lot of college scholarships available, but there are few programs that will give money to high school students. And that's such an impactful time in a child's life. If they get stuck there, they may not move on to success."

Janice created "Access to Success," which provides quick aid to Asian and Pacific Islander students in the Denver Public Schools. Needs like eye care, field trip costs, SAT exam fees, and dental care can be discretely provided for with a forty-eight hour turnaround. The program also provides gift certificates to top elementary, middle, and high school students selected by the Asian Educational Advisory Council here in Denver.

"I'm always thinking, 'Where are the needs?'"
- Janice Shimokubo