Councilman Jim Graham, Ward 1

“In Ward I and elsewhere in the District of Columbia, there are large numbers of low income children, who have great potential, but are unable to attend college or other non-college post-secondary schools largely for financial reasons.   Many youth are facing the multiple problems of low income, lack of family support, immigration issues, teen pregnancy and drugs.  However, some of these young people have overcome these difficulties and graduated from high school or obtained GED certification and have a strong commitment and the ability to continue their education.  These people are the target group of the New Futures scholarship program.

This unique program works in partnership with eight of the most respected community organizations in the city.  These organizations nominate young people they are working with for the scholarships, help them with the admissions and financial assistance process and mentor the scholars throughout the post-secondary education.  It is this combination of financial and personal support that gives this program its unique character and accounts for its success.

I believe that the scholarship program addresses in an effective way many of the social problems facing our city.  This program and the young people of this city need your support, and I hope you will be able to help finance these scholarships for our young people.”

Lori Kaplan, Executive Director, Latin American Youth Center (LAYC)

“LAYC has worked in collaboration with the Allen Gould Youth and Family Learning Association since 2000. Through this collaboration the New Futures scholarship program has provided economic support to over 60 socio-economically disadvantaged young people to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities.  The economic support serves as an incentive for these young people to initiate and pursue, through completion, opportunities that they would never have access to.   Through the New Futures scholarship, there are over 60 youth pursuing careers as varied as culinary arts, airplane mechanics and special education.

Many of the youth have come to the Youth Center, initially, under very trying personal and family situations.  They come from broken homes that are struggling financially, emotionally and physically.  By removing the perceived financial barriers to college, the youth have the motivation to transcend their previous life situation, take on new challenges and succeed in post-secondary educational programs.

As one of our scholars put it, “If the New Futures scholarship hadn't been around, I probably would never have even finished my GED.”  This scholar grew up in a single-parent household with three other siblings.  His mother, an immigrant from war-torn El Salvador, battled with a drug addiction throughout his childhood.  He dropped out of school when he was 16, and only went back to get his GED when he was 18, due to the hope of some day going to college.  When he found out about the New Futures scholarship in 2002, he studied and received his GED within 6 months, and entered the University of the District of Columbia in 2003.  He is currently studying business, with an emphasis on accounting.  Successes like these come true due the New Futures Scholarship program.

We are grateful to the New Futures Scholarship program for its unwavering support of young people in our community.”

Linda Wright-Fuller, Former Executive Director, For Love of Children

“This scholarship has allowed our students who are GED recipients and high school graduates who are going into non-traditional post-secondary careers the opportunity to be successful.   We have had students complete nursing, culinary arts, cosmetology, international business and massage therapy.

We have other students who are pursuing degrees in mortuary science, business and other fields.  These students are all from low income, potentially first generation households.  Without your support these and other students would not have the opportunity to make their dreams a reality.

The New Futures Scholarship is a change agent in the lives of many of the people we serve.  It is a catalyst in producing avenues that allow dreams to become realities in the lives of people who have little hope, few role models and lots of despair.”

Judith Dobbins, Executive Director, Covenant House

“There is no easy way to rebuild the shattered lives of the youth who come to us.  However, with unconditional love, respect and the tools that our array of services provide, there is hope.  None of this would be possible though without the generosity of our community partners like New Futures.

With the help of their New Futures scholarship two of our youth are pursuing their education at the University of the District of Columbia.  Another youth is enrolled in vocational training at the Northern Virginia Community College to become an auto mechanic.

Each of these youth has hopes and dreams that with the assistance of New Futures they are working to make reality.  We believe that the model New Futures utilizes for all its scholars, which includes an essay, a budget, a mentor and interview creates a recipe for success.  We also know that not only does a New Futures scholarship make things possible on a monetary basis, but it is also an endorsement and a commitment by the community to the success of some of its most vulnerable members.  It creates hope where it is most needed.”

Susan Ely, Executive Director, Academy of Hope

“Two of our adult learners were recipients of New Futures scholarships to continue their schooling at the University of the District of Columbia and Trinity University, respectively.  Coupled with the services provided at the Academy of Hope, New Futures' scholarships dramatically improved the lives of two people living at the margins of society.

We enthusiastically support the work of the Allen Gould Youth and Family Learning Association and the invaluable service it offers providing scholarships to low income residents of the DC area to attend college and non-college post-secondary schools.  The availability of scholarships means that there is hope beyond completion of the GED for our students to further education and earn a decent living.  It provides hope and a positive incentive for our students.”

Paul Dornan, Director Funds Development, Community Club, New York Avenue Presbyterian Church

Four students from our 2004 graduating class are attending North Caroline A&T, Virginia Union, Montgomery College and Florida A&M, where they are aiming to earn degrees in pharmacy, nursing, social work and business, respectively.  For these students, whose families are of limited (often seriously limited) means, the scholarships they have received are essential to making college financially possible for them.  We are proud of them and thankful for the help that the New Futures Scholarships have afforded them.

Grace Dickerson, Education Coordinator, Hope and a Home, Inc.

I’ve watched first hand how the New Futures Scholarship has changed the lives of people in the Hope and a Home program.  For a single mom to be able to go to school and come out with a career where she can support her family is an awesome experience.  The self-esteem that is evident in that woman changes her outlook on what she can do, and what she can accomplish in her life.

Supporting high school graduates to be able to go to college helps students make healthy choices for their lives. When they develop careers before starting a family, they ensure the stability of their family.  Many of these students would not have the choice to go to college without the support of the New Futures Scholarship.

The Scholarship is a small investment in the future of all the recipients of it.  This investment yields enormous returns in Scholars being able to make incomes far beyond what they could without their education.