By Kathy Chouteau
Moving Forward, an organization aiming to make a positive impact on the community through initiatives on health, academics and community service, hosted its 2021 Scholarship Award Ceremony & School Supply Giveaway Aug. 28 at the Richmond Museum of History and Culture, according to Arleide Santos, communications/marketing director and executive assistant for Moving Forward.
Aside from the organization awarding youth scholarships during the event, said Santos, the Richmond Fire Department Local 188 helped give away backpacks with school supplies in the museum’s courtyard. As an added plus, the organization and museum also partnered to offer a free day at the museum for backpack recipients.
During the ceremony, seven young community leaders were honored by Moving Forward and awarded scholarships ranging from $500-$1,500 toward their pursuit of higher education. The scholarship awardees were: Alondra Carmona, April Fonseca, Keila Calderon, Rony Yanez, Stephanie Lopez, Ozmar Hurta and Vanessa Garcia. Click here to see pictures of this year’s awardees, as well as past ones.
According to Santos, youth applicants were scored and selected based on qualifications including: having a minimum GPA of 2.5 or above; acceptance to a 2 or 4-year college or technical school, or being currently enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college or technical school; being between the ages of 17-29 years old; participation in a minimum of two Moving Forward community events; demonstrating involvement in the community through community service; and having at least one letter of recommendation.
Money raised from Moving Forward’s “We Run Richmond 5K” supported the event. During the ceremony, guest speakers Genoveva Calloway and John Marquez touched on the history of community activism and importance of education, said Santos.
Learn more about Moving Forward here.
