We are thrilled to announce that our courageous Executive Director of Forward Steps, Jennifer Falkoski, and her husband, Chad, have safely and successfully completed their climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.
As they take time to recover and enjoy the rest of their stay in Tanzania, we’ll share the first half of their journey up the 19,341-foot peak with you. Stay tuned for Part 2 in the coming days.
Honor Their Summit: Donate to Guardian Scholars
“Climbing Africa’s highest peak was an easy decision when it meant raising funds and awareness for Forward Steps’ Guardian Scholars program. We scaled Mount Kilimanjaro to spotlight the challenges faced by current and former foster youth pursuing higher education, and to support the students served by this crucial program.” – Jennifer Falkoski, Executive Director of Forward Steps
Part 1 of Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro: The Prep
Their journey up Mount Kilimanjaro began months ago.
To prepare, Jennifer and Chad needed to build the stamina to climb 1,000 vertical feet every hour. Their rigorous training schedule included frequent hikes up nearby steep trails, with Bear Peak and Mount Audubon becoming familiar challenges. They also tackled some of Colorado’s famous ’14ers’ (peaks over 14,000 feet). To round out their preparation, they dedicated parts of their summer vacations in South Carolina and Jackson, WY to trekking up trails in different climates, helping them adapt to various conditions they might encounter on Kilimanjaro.
Jennifer reflected on her training, “Training was tough! To prepare for the climb, we needed to be able to ascend 1,000 vertical feet per hour for three hours straight—and we did it! We got there by tackling several Colorado mountains, including some 14ers. We even climbed Redcloud Peak (pictured above) and Handies Peak back-to-back to simulate the first two days of Kilimanjaro. I also worked with a PT and strength trainer to address some knee issues. But it got us ready!”
The Training Diaries
To bring you along on their training journey, the Forward Steps team created a social media series called ‘The Training Diaries.’ Throughout the summer, we shared clips, challenges, and insights from Jennifer and Chad’s preparation for their Mount Kilimanjaro climb. If you missed these updates, don’t worry – we’ve compiled the entire series for you to enjoy here!
Packing for Kilimanjaro
To ensure comfort during their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro, Jennifer and Chad needed to equip themselves with gear suitable for a variety of changing ecosystems. Their journey up the Machame Route would
take them through six distinct ecosystems (pictured above right), each presenting unique challenges. For instance, the temperature at the summit is significantly colder than at the base camp where they began. This diversity of environments required thoughtful and strategic packing on their part.
Why We Climb
The climb up Mount Kilimanjaro is part of a larger effort to raise funds and awareness for our Guardian Scholars Program. This year, our goal is to raise $120,000—enough to support 20 new scholars, with $6,000 covering the needs of each student. We invite you to make a donation or consider becoming a sponsor!
For youth who have spent time in foster care, the path to a brighter future can feel as daunting as climbing a mountain. With higher rates of homelessness and lower graduation rates, foster youth face unique challenges in pursuing a post-secondary education.
The Guardian Scholars program addresses these challenges by offering financial assistance, 1:1 mentoring, and personalized wraparound support. We serve current and former foster youth on 18 college campuses across 12 counties in Colorado, helping them enroll, persist, and graduate. Our program provides a comprehensive and individualized approach to ensure these students can succeed.
Meet some of our current Guardian Scholars:
“The Forward Steps Guardian Scholars program has helped me by providing comprehensive support, including scholarships, mentoring, and career guidance, which has significantly alleviated financial pressures and contributed to my academic success. The program’s resources and community have empowered me to focus on my studies, develop valuable life skills, and confidently pursue my career goals,” says current Guardian Scholar, Ambrosha Stiller.
Elizabeth is currently part of our Guardian Scholars Program, where she receives guidance and support during her journey as an undergraduate at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
“The Forward Steps Guardian Scholars program has helped me by providing a mentor who has supported me in my education and personal life. Coming from foster care, all we seek is a supportive system, and my mentor gave me that from the start. I feel that without my mentor, I wouldn’t be as prepared as I am now or feel as good as I do about where I am in my education and personal life,” says Elizabeth.
Support the newest class of Guardian Scholars today, and in a few years, you’ll be celebrating their success stories.
Chad and Jennifer met their goal of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.
Now you can elevate a scholar’s aspirations. Sponsor a scholar this year and provide them with the tools they’ll need to reach their goals and dreams.
