The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF) awarded $125,000 in higher education scholarships to their students in grades five through 12 during their annual Scholarship Award Ceremony. The event honored the students’ academic dedication, resilience, sportsmanship and ambition to pursue brighter futures for themselves.
For many of the recipients, the scholarships mark a pivotal step toward becoming the first in their families to attend higher education. MWYF serves youth living in some of Jacksonville’s most historically underserved neighborhoods, specifically the 32209 area code, and offers comprehensive afterschool and summer programming that integrates academic support, life skills development, mentoring and tennis development.
“We’re helping to break generational cycles of poverty by equipping young people with the tools, encouragement and opportunities they need to succeed,” said MaliVai Washington, MWYF founder. “Thanks to our supporters, our youth can pursue their dreams and hopefully give back to the very community that lifted them up.”
Each scholarship recipient completed a competitive application process that included an essay, submission of references and a panel interview. The scholarships are funded by generous organizations, family foundations and individual donors of MWYF. The scholarships can be used toward any form of higher education, including college, trade schools, certificate programs or professional training post high school graduation.
Past recipients have gone on to graduate from colleges and universities, complete vocational programs or employment training to return to their communities as contributing members of society, proving that with opportunity and support, every child has the power to rise. Over the foundation’s 29 years of programming, more than $2 million has been awarded in scholarships.
The Scholarship Award Ceremony was attended by MWYF staff, families, donors and community partners, all gathering to recognize the promise of Jacksonville’s next generation of leaders.
