Promotor(a) ScholarshipsPromotor(a) Scholarships
"I want to change my situation, and I need my education to do it. ... I will be the first one in my family to graduate."
-Cecilia B. Garza, Promotora and scholarship recipient
Migrant Health Promotion's Sister Donna Zetah Education Fund provides small scholarships to Promotores and Promotoras who want to improve their lives through education but who have few opportunities or resources. Participating in a Promotor(a) program inspires and encourages many participants to pursue new training or careers. To support their efforts and provide an accessible resource, Migrant Health Promotion created the Education Fund in 1990. The Fund provides scholarships, typically $100-$400, to our current and former Promotores(as), Teen Health Aides or their immediate family members. Scholarship recipients pursue a wide variety of educational and career goals from high school completion through graduate school. Recipients use the funds to support their tuition, childcare, transportation, uniforms or books and supplies. Migrant Health Promotion also helps applicants identify and apply for other sources of financial aid. The number of applicants grows each year. The Education Fund currently awards over 30 scholarships annually.
The Education Fund bears the name of Sister Donna Zetah, OSF, one of Migrant Health Promotion's original Program Coordinators and mentors. She inspired many Promotores(as) to become Program Coordinators, and she tirelessly encouraged all Promotores(as) to pursue their dreams in spite of the obstacles. She remains an inspiration to all who know her.
A Story from the Program
"It's very difficult, the financial ups and downs. Recently, it got to a devastating point. My husband suddenly lost his job. My brothers have been giving me $5.00 or $10.00 for gas when I need to get to school, even though they are also on a budget. They don't want me to drop out because I don't have money for gas. So they short themselves to help me. I will be the first one in my family to graduate."
-Cecilia B. Garza, Promotora and scholarship recipient
Cecilia Garza graduated with her LVN nursing degree in August of 1998. She wrote to Migrant Health Promotion to express her gratitude for "assisting financially and emotionally."
Cecilia writes:
"It has been hard. I had to be a full-time mother and a full-time student. I would stay with them during the night and arrange with my sister and brothers to stay with my children while I was in school. Then I'd take over right after class. This reduced my study and rest hours, but somehow I found the strength to continue for them, my kids. They both have asthma, so they are constantly getting sick, which makes me believe that I am studying the right vocation. This is something that I enjoy and love, and most of all, I am able to help, comfort and be a friend to someone in need and their family."
Help us provide scholarships to Promotores(as)! Please visit the Donate page for more information. If you have been a Promotor(a) with Migrant Health Promotion or one of our collaborators, please Contact Us for information and application instructions.
