P4S Scholar: Alex Colome Peguero
Having just graduated from John Jay College for Criminal Justice, Alex Colome is joining the National Guard. Upon completing his deployment, his plan is to become a correctional officer with the NYPD. Alex is excited to join the National Guard and to “serve this wonderful country.”
For two years, Alex has been an active PIPs for School (P4S) Scholar with River Fund, the frontline poverty center based in Queens, NY. During that time, he has earned over $1000 in grant funding for school.
Being in the program has made “me see my community better” he explains. “The app prompts you to do good things, and then tracks when you do them. Have you volunteered? Have you shown kindness? Have you recycled? It makes you aware of the good you can do, and helps you set up a routine, which is good in itself.”
“One cool thing about the PIPs app are the challenges.” Many are weekly – walk a certain number of steps each day of the week to earn PIPs. Others are monthly – save the most carbon this month, or answer the most trivia questions correctly. But no matter the contest, there is typically a reward or prize. Alex found these challenges to be especially motivating.
P4S tapped into Alex’s natural strengths as a leader, teaching him that “anything is possible,” that he could “make a difference” because “at the end of the day, change starts with you.”
All of us at PIPs are filled with gratitude for Alex’s commitment to serve his country and wish him much luck and good fortune with all that he pursues.
