“Charlottesville’s Promise 2012″ Gala

A celebration of our community, its scholars and a promise …

It was an amazing night of celebration and inspiration as the second annual Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program Gala celebrated 11 years of providing continuing education scholarship assistance to low- and moderate-income city public school graduates and residents, and City of Charlottesville employees as well. On September 22, 2012, we celebrated our scholars’ successes, and all the support they and the Charlottesville Community Scholarship Program have received from our very generous Charlottesville community “Promise” keepers, at the beautiful Paramount Theater.  Read the full review and see photos of the event here.

A special thank you to the reunion planning committee for their thoughtful gift, and congratulations to all the members of Lane High School’s Class of 1971!

Linden was one of the community leaders, who in 1999 brought to the attention of the Charlottesville City Council, the critical need for scholarship assistance for the city’s low- and moderate-income students. At that time, the city was considering the best use of a budget surplus. Through his efforts, more than 50 students would ultimately realize their dream of a college education.

To recognize his vision and dedication, the Charlottesville Scholarship Program board of directors voted unanimously to name, in perpetuity, the program’s prestigious Promise Award in his honor. The award was created to honor individuals who have demonstrated compassion and commitment to creating opportunities to help build bright futures for Charlottesville’s students. The award is presented during the organization’s annual Charlottesville’s Promise Gala.

CCSP can help with college costs

Want to go back to college but wondering how you’ll afford it? The Charlottesville Scholarship Program could help you with your spring semester class costs, but you’ll need to get your scholarship application in by Oct. 1.

If you’re a Charlottesville resident and a graduate of Charlottesville City Schools — or a City of Charlottesville employee — and are 25 years old or more, you could have a second chance at earning college credit, part time or full time. The Charlottesville Scholarship Program website has the details and application forms, and you can learn more about the adults who earned scholarships in our last adult enrollment period. Charlottesville High School seniors and adults may apply by March 1 each year for the next fall semester.

Charlottesville City Council created an endowment in 2001 for the Charlottesville Scholarship Program to help low- and moderate-income graduates of our city schools and city employees reach their higher-education goals. City Council recognized 10 years ago that a high school diploma might not be enough for many of our citizens to live in economic security. That, sadly, is more true now than ever. Charlottesville Promise scholarships also can be renewed, continuing to help adults in the workforce return to school.

In addition to our website, we share lots of helpful college-planning resources on our Facebook and Twitter accounts (@CvilleCSP). Check us out!
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Money for college

At its July board meeting, the Charlottesville Scholarship Program, with the advice of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, which administers its funds, voted to adopt a new policy for handling future donations. The Charlottesville Scholarship Program, which grants scholarships to low- and moderate-income city public school graduates and city employees, will now split all contributions between the endowment (60 percent) and a fund for immediate use (40 percent).

The board made this decision in part because of city residents’ need for immediate workforce development and higher education funds due to the recent economic downturn. The Charlottesville Scholarship Program board is working hard to ensure a robust fund to meet the needs of adults 25 and over in the next scholarship cycle. Applications for adults are due October 1 for the spring semester. By splitting contributions, the board will continue to honor the intentions of the City Council to build an endowment for the future well-being of city residents, while also addressing pressing needs in our community.

Charlottesville City Council established the Charlottesville Scholarship Program 10 years ago with an allocation from a budget surplus. In the ensuing 10 years, the Charlottesville Scholarship Program board has more than doubled the funds put in its care by the city and has awarded scholarships to more than 50 city residents or employees.

The program is open to candidates young and old. Scholarships follow students through their undergraduate education, and amounts can be adjusted each year–an important fact given that many colleges front-load first-year financial aid to students.

Background

The Charlottesville Scholarship Program was established through a one-time grant from the Charlottesville City Council in 2001. The program’s board of directors raises additional funds to support the program, whose fund has a current value of more than $590,000 as of June 2011.

Today, the program operates as a partnership uniting:

• the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce
• the University of Virginia
• Piedmont Virginia Community College
• the Charlottesville City Schools
• the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
• the Charlottesville PTO Council

Rev. Ralph Brown

“Thank you and the Charlottesville Scholarship Program for your support and encouragement over the past few years. In 2009 I successfully completed required classes with high marks at PVCC, classes that were transferred to Bluefield College, where I received a bachelor of science degree in December 2010.”

That’s the start of a heartwarming note from Ralph Brown Sr. to Mary Jane King, Piedmont Virginia Community College administrator and Charlottesville Scholarship Program scholarship committee chair. A recent recipient of Charlottesville Scholarship Program funding to further his education, Rev. Brown is a Pentecostal minister, a chef, and a recently minted Bluefield College graduate, having received his bachelor’s degree in organizational management and development in December 2010. The CEO and president of RBC Institute, a center for faith-based and community learning located in Charlottesville, Chef Brown has taught many classes on safe food handling. In volunteer roles, he has served this community in many ways over the years, including as a mayoral appointee to the Sister City Commission and as a Toys for Tots sponsor and volunteer.

Getting that bachelor’s degree wasn’t easy, A Vietnam-era veteran with a Veterans Administration disability rating, Rev. Brown appreciates the funding help from Charlottesville Scholarship Program and credits the caring staff and instructors at PVCC with the help he needed to succeed as a student.

“With their help I learned that I was going to have put in extra time, sit closer to the front of the class, and take responsibility for making sure the instructors understood my unique situation to make the best grades possible.

“Thank you and the people of the Charlottesville for your contribution to my success.”