Zephyr Agent Pete Gallegos Serves with Maisin Scholars Program

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1319132635San Francisco, CA - October 17, 2011 - Pete Gallegos, Zephyr REALTOR® at the West Portal Office, has found a way to help others through volunteering with the Maisin Scholars Program, which assists students in overcoming financial obstacles in their pursuit of higher education. Founded in 2000, the program offers 75 scholarships annually to students graduating in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) who have financial need and the ambition to continue their education.

Gallegos is a Volunteer Reader for the program, and reads and evaluates applications for the scholarship. Considerations include financial need, grades, recommendations from teachers and counselors, community involvement by the applicants and an essay written by the students expressing their personal story. "I look for what they want to do with their education and how they plan to give back to the community," Gallegos said.

While grades are a factor, it is the passion for education that carries greater weight. The scholarships are designed to support the needs of economically disadvantaged students. Maisin strives for an appropriate distribution of awards based on the composition of the SFUSD, and seeks to represent every high school in the district.

"The stories range from students who are from low-income families that have to work to support their families while attending school to pay for basic household expenses, students from broken families where there is little structure and a lack of positive role models, and students who find themselves in a new country having to learn a new language and a new way of life oftentimes facing difficult immigration situations where families can be torn apart at any time," commented Gallegos. "The students involved in this program are survivors and more than that, with the support of this program, they learn to become champions."

The Maisin Scholar Program was built on the philosophy that every young person has unlimited potential to succeed when supported and provided access to opportunity. Further, the program holds that no student should be deprived of a meaningful education solely because they lack financial means or an exemplary academic record. Eligibility requirements are delineated on Maisin's website.

Gallegos also sits on the board of directors of the Mission Housing Development Corporation and the National Hispanic Organization of Real Estate Associates. In addition, he volunteers with the Latin American Teachers Association and the Latino Leadership Committee.

"I believe that if each one of us found a way to help others either through volunteering, contributing and sharing resources, or supporting the community in some way, we can begin to alleviate many of the problems we have in the world," Gallegos remarked. "For me supporting education is one of the keys to reducing poverty, ignorance and disrespect for our fellow man and our environment."

Those who are interested in volunteering time or resources to Maisin may do so by emailing info@maisinscholars.org or calling 415.955.5790. Gallegos is a Zephyr REALTOR® and a member in good standing of the San Francisco, California and National Associations of REALTORS®. He was raised in San Francisco and worked with SFUSD prior to his career in real estate. He may be reached at gallegospete@sbcglobal.net.

About Zephyr Real Estate

Founded in 1978, Zephyr Real Estate is San Francisco's largest independent real estate firm with $1 billion in annual gross sales in 2010 and a current roster of more than 200 full-time agents. In 2010, Zephyr launched its new website, which has earned two web design awards, including the prestigious Interactive Media Award. Zephyr Real Estate is a member of the international relocation network, Leading Real Estate Companies of the World; the luxury real estate network, Who's Who in Luxury Real Estate; and the local luxury marketing association, the Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco. Zephyr has six strategically located offices in San Francisco, a business center in Marin County, and serves a large customer base throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit www.zephyrsf.com.