$450,000 in new scholarship funds will help BRIDGE residents with post-secondary education, bringing total scholarship funding to over $3.9 million since 2001
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (October 16, 2024) – BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer and manager on the West Coast, joined partners, supporters, and residents to announce 60 BRIDGE Scholarship recipients at a celebratory luncheon held Tuesday in San Francisco.
Recognizing that education has the power to transform lives, lift people out of poverty, and close equity gaps, BRIDGE established a scholarship program in 2001 to support residents of all ages who wish to pursue post-secondary education. This year’s scholarships awards totaled $454,000, bringing the total amount awarded by the BRIDGE Scholarship Program to $3.9 million.
Chosen from 500 applicants, this year’s 60 BRIDGE Scholars include 15 receiving a BRIDGE scholarship for the first time. These scholarships support student success by helping alleviate the cost burden of tuition as well as other needs including books, computers and other technology, meal plans, transportation, and child support.
The luncheon was a festive celebration of this year’s scholars, who live in the 130 BRIDGE communities in California, Oregon and Washington. Several scholars shared their personal stories and detailed how the scholarship funding will help unlock new possibilities as they strive to reach their full potential. This year, the event raised more than $537,000 for the program, the most ever raised at a BRIDGE scholarship event to date.
“Our BRIDGE scholars have shown an unwavering commitment to their education, no matter the obstacles they may face,” said BRIDGE Housing President and CEO Ken Lombard. “We are delighted to celebrate these inspiring men and women and thrilled to continue this transformative scholarship program, which has gone to more than 400 recipients over the past 23 years.”
“It is gratifying and moving to see the impact of our Scholarship Program on our residents as they pursue post-secondary education,” said BRIDGE Housing Board Chair Ken Novack. “This program enables parents to spend more time with their children and let some recipients to be the first in their families to go to college. I’m excited to see what these very capable recipients go on to achieve, for themselves and for others.”
BRIDGE Scholarship recipients have used their funds to support their studies in fields including business, nursing, social work, public health, criminal justice, and more at a wide range of institutions including trade schools, community colleges and four-year universities such as UC Berkeley and Columbia University. Many scholars say the funds help relieve stress and free up time to focus on family members and other important priorities. As a result of the BRIDGE scholarship, 98% of scholars worry less about money and 86% take out fewer loans.
Eriyah Diaz, a 2024 BRIDGE Scholar, grew up in Potrero Hill and now lives at 1101 Connecticut with her mother, who inspired her to pursue her education and work hard. While deciding where to attend college, Eriyah’s decision came down to finances. With the BRDIGE Scholarship, Eriyah is able to pay her tuition, save money for an apartment, and spend less time working and more time focused on school and her future.
“It was always my dream to attend Howard University and go on to medical school. The BRIDGE Scholarship Program is making this dream a reality,” said Eriyah, who is studying biology and psychology and wants to become a surgeon. “A lot of people are like me, wondering where they are going to get the money for their next tuition payment. BRIDGE is giving students a chance to chase their dreams, just like I am.”
The BRIDGE Scholarship Program consists of three separate funds. Created in 2001, the Alan and Ruth Stein Educational Assistance Program was founded by BRIDGE’s founding Chairman and his wife to support high school graduates pursuing higher education and vocational skills, parents returning to or continuing college while working, and workers seeking to acquire new skills.
The Kent L. Colwell Scholarship Program, founded in 2017, honors a longtime BRIDGE advocate and Board member and aims to help BRIDGE residents pursue studies and careers in business or accounting.
The Kripamayi Scholarship Program, founded in 2022, honors the life and legacy of Vimla and Sumer Aggarwal and assists BRIDGE residents pursuing studies in fields with sustainable and useful career paths.
For more information and ways to donate, please visit: https://bridgehousing.com/donate/
About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing is a leading nonprofit developer, owner and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE has participated in the creation of more than 21,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon and Washington, with a total development cost of $5.2 billion. Its current portfolio totals more than 13,000 apartments that are home to 30,000 residents, with another 8,000 units in the development pipeline. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.
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