Why You Are Needed

Hendrick Scholarship Program

What would you say to a 17 year old who constantly argues with her single parent mother because she wants to finish high school so that she can go to college? The family's poverty forces them to move constantly and often to areas outside of the school bus service areas. To get to school, she needs to take public transportation and walk long distances. This takes up extra hours that she could otherwise be using to be at work. Her mother never finished high school and doesn't believe her children need to either. Her mother wants her to work more hours because they need the income.

What do you tell an 18 year old who worked 30 hours a week during his 11th and 12th grades, graduating with dreams of going to college but his 3 siblings are depending on him to now be the primary source of support for them? His mother has a chronic medical condition and can only work sporadically. He must choose between pursuing his dream or fulfilling his obligation as the primary caretaker of his siblings.

These are common scenarios for our students.

These students need help from people who believe they are worth investing in... people who want to reward them for making the right choices, the harder choices. Each year, there are many more students applying to our program than we are able to help since we are limited by our financial resources. In 2009, we were only able to accept 1 out of every 5 applicants.

THE FACTS:

• From 2000 to 2006, in Collin County the percentage of children under age 18 years living in poverty increased by 24% from 2001 to 2005.
(2008 United Way Community Needs Assessment Report)

In 2007-2008, there were 2,100 economically disadvantaged* students in Plano high schools.
(Texas Education Agency Academic Excellence Indicator System)

TO KEEP IN MIND:

The benefits of a oollege education reach way beyond having the credentials to enter career fields with higher earning potential. The ripple effect is felt in other areas of THEIR LIVES AS WELL AS OURS.

How College Benefits Us All

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Download to see how you and your family benefit from helping someone to get a college education!

See how educating individuals benefits us all.

*Click here to see definition criteria of economically disadvantaged.