Hundreds attend luncheon to honor BRIDGE residents whose educational achievements reflect
the affordable housing provider’s commitment to opportunity, community, and lasting impact
SAN FRANCISCO (October 28, 2025) – BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing provider on the West Coast, was joined by state leaders, partners, supporters, and residents at a gala luncheon today to celebrate the company’s impactful scholarship program that has enabled nearly 500 residents to pursue post-secondary education.
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. Since then, it has awarded over $4.2 million to residents for post-secondary programs ranging from skills training to doctoral studies. These scholarships support student success by helping alleviate the financial burden of tuition and expenses including books, computers and other technology, meal plans, transportation, and child support.
The festive luncheon in San Francisco was attended by California State Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, strong champions of affordable housing and creating greater opportunity for all Californians. Several scholarship recipients shared their personal stories about growing up in BRIDGE communities and how the financial aid both enhanced their college experience and opened up career paths. The gala raised more than $660,000 for BRIDGE’s scholarship program.
BRIDGE also announced it has commitments of more than $1.1 million for a newly created endowment seeded by an anonymous former Board member to support the Kent L. Colwell Scholarship, one of three BRIDGE scholarship programs. The endowment will ensure the continued sustainability and growth of the Colwell Scholarship, which has supported residents pursuing business and accounting degrees since 2017.
“Young people in low-income communities can face enormous challenges in accessing education and pursuing their dreams,” said Ken Lombard, President and CEO of BRIDGE Housing. “Nothing makes us more proud than to give these scholars the tools to overcome those barriers and turn their hard work into lasting success.”
“The BRIDGE Scholarship program embodies the heart of BRIDGE’s mission — to strengthen communities and improve the lives of residents beginning, but not ending, with affordable housing,” said BRIDGE Board Chairman Kenneth Novack. “Supporting these inspiring scholars as they realize their full potential is one of the most meaningful ways we support our residents and help them build brighter futures for themselves and their families.”
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 studies, family, and other priorities.
That was the case for Henry Arinze, a 2024 and 2025 scholar, who grew up in BRIDGE’s Sage Park Apartment community in Gardena, California, after his family immigrated from Nigeria.
“Having to balance academia, sports, and working a job was definitely a lot on the plate” before the scholarship, Henry said earlier this year. “Now, money isn’t the main burden so I actually don’t have to rush. I can take my time, understand what I truly want to do, and make a plan.”
Henry’s planning paid off: he graduated in May and now works as a software product manager at HP.
Daniela Yakuta is pursuing her lifelong dream of a career in health thanks to her BRIDGE scholarship. As a child in BRIDGE’s Villa Loma community, in Carlsbad, California, she grew interested in healthcare after her mother experienced serious health complications, including memory loss, while giving birth to Daniela’s younger sister—a traumatic experience for young Daniela. Daniela became aware of disparities in medical care and resolved to make a difference in underserved communities, but she knew college would be a struggle for her parents to afford.
“This scholarship has meant a lot to me. I don’t think I would have been able to finish my college education debt free without it,” said Daniela, a UC San Diego senior who is majoring in public health and training to be a physician assistant. “Emotionally, it helped a lot. With financial burdens always come stress, anxiety, depression. Avoiding all of that with a BRIDGE scholarship has helped tremendously.”
The BRIDGE Scholarship Program consists of three separate funds. In addition to the Colwell Scholarship, the Alan and Ruth Stein Educational Assistance Program was established in 2001 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 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.
The scholarships are part of BRIDGE Housing’s extensive resident services program and exemplify the nonprofit’s mission to connect residents with opportunities to improve their lives. The luncheon highlighted some of the 400 programs, including a partnership with Harbor Freight Tools for Schools to give young residents at two BRIDGE communities in South Los Angeles hands-on training in welding and carpentry, plus a paycheck and a chance to earn valuable industry credentials.
For more information and ways to donate, please visit: https://bridgehousing.com/donate/
About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing Corporation is a leading nonprofit owner, developer, and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE Housing has participated in the creation of more than 23,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon, and Washington, with a total development cost of $6 billion. Its current $4.6 billion portfolio totals 15,000 apartments that are home to more than 33,000 residents, with more than 10,000 additional units in the development and acquisition pipelines. For more information, visit https://bridgehousing.com/.
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