Improving the Future for Schenectady’s Youth

Foundation Supports Sponsor-A-Scholar, Makes College Attainable

“We are grateful to the Foundation, which has the vision to understand that their support will come back to the community in the form of mature, educated and civic-minded young adults ready to take their place as leaders for the future.” -- Bill Corbett, Executive Director, Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar

Because of the Sponsor-A-Scholar program, and a commitment from The Schenectady Foundation, a college education is attainable for Schenectady High School students who previously thought it out of their reach.

Sponsor-A-Scholar (SAS) helps economically disadvantaged students graduate from high school, enroll in and graduate from college. SAS provides an emotional and academic support system, one-on-one mentoring, and academic and counseling support. The key ingredient is a $6,000 scholarship that is secured when the student is selected for the program after completing ninth grade. The student is guaranteed the scholarship if they fully participate in the program, graduate from high school and attend college.

The Schenectady Foundation has made two grants totaling $97,500 to the SAS program. The first grant of $60,000, awarded in 2001, sponsored the entire Class of 2005. Recently, the Foundation granted another $37,500 to sponsor five scholars from the Class of 2008.

“The Schenectady Foundation’s substantial support of Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar over the past six years, has helped 15 Schenectady High School students graduate and realize their dream of going to the college of their choice. We are grateful to the Foundation, which had the vision to understand that their support will come back to the community in the form of mature, educated and civic-minded young adults ready to take their place as leaders for the future,” said Bill Corbett, Executive Director, Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar.

Learn more about Sponsor A Scholar at www.crsas.org

Schenectady Foundation Distribution Committee Chair Mark Handelman is presented with an award by Sponsor A Scholar participant Sherry Sookram. When this photo was taken, Sherry was a senior at Schenectady High School. Thanks to Sponsor-A- Scholar and grants from The Schenectady Foundation, she graduated and is now attending The Sage Colleges.

Foundation leaders Dr. Grace Jorgensen (left) and Mark Handelman (center) receive congratulations from Sponsor A Scholar executive director William Corbett at Schenectady High School.