Scholarship Program: Supported by George Baldwin Foundation

Fifty-five  hard working students are continuing their education thanks to scholarships awarded by The Bridge of Northeast Florida‘s Scholarship Program in 2009. Scholarships ranged from $500 to $1500.  This year 24 scholarships were awarded to past Bridge students for an additional year of college and 31 were new applicants. The Scholarship sub-committee consists of Board Members Noah Henderson, Mary Burt, Meltonia DuBois and Dave Edwards. Bridge Director of Programs and Scholarships Dr. Bruce LaVant serves as lead staff representative.  

Recipients attend Florida Community College of Jacksonville, University of North Florida, University of Florida, University of West Florida, Florida Gulf Coast, Bethune - Cookman  University, Florida State University, and Florida A & M University.  Out-of-state schools include Benedict College (SC), Shaw University (NC), and Norfolk State University (VA).

The Scholarship Sub-committee offers workshops to assist students with overall planning for college applications. The workshops include essay writing, SAT/ACT test preparation, career exploration and assistance with completing college and financial applications which can be very complicated.

In addition, The Bridge staff takes students on a college tour each year. The spring break tour in 2009 saw 35 youth and 4 staff touring Florida State, University of Central Florida, Full Sail , and Florida  A & M University.

The Bridge Scholarships began in 1994 to assist Bridge students who were unable to attend college due to extreme financial and social difficulties. More than $242,000 has been awarded to students since 1994.  Scholarship eligibility includes participation in a Bridge program, acceptance into an accredited college and/or university, clear college and/or career goals and possession of a plan that clearly outlines how the student will attain their goal.

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Laptops for Bridge Seniors!

Thirty lucky graduating seniors will head off to college with their own laptop computers thanks to Leigh Weaver and James Sutton, daughter and son-in-law of Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver, owners of the National Football League franchise Jacksonville Jaguars.

“In today’s fast paced technological world, having a laptop is an essential tool for every college student to be able to compete,” Leigh Weaver said. “Jim and I are pleased to give this gift to such a deserving group of youth and hope that it will serve as a key to open many doors for each and every recipient.”

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Johnathan Felder in his qualifying essay said “There are many distractions that youth can get involved in from using drugs, hanging out on the streets, hanging with the wrong crowd and death; you have plenty of opportunities to get involved with them. The Bridge has prevented me from being involved in those activities and instead placed me in a safer environment. The Bridge has provided me with homework help, ways to stay focused in school, answers to problems I have faced, work experience, college tours and most important is the advice and guidance that I have gained. This program has influenced me in more ways than one could count and I am thankful for that.”