Caregivers of disabled members of the U.S. Armed Forces are used to helping others, but a $100,000 grant from The Kahlert Foundation will put them on the receiving end of generous support.
This grant will fund the Pillars of Strength Scholarship Program, which has helped more than 50 students continue their education at UMGC by providing them with full scholarships. To be eligible for this scholarship program, applicants must be a spouse, parent, stepparent, sibling, step sibling, fiancé, child, stepchild, or friend of a servicemember or veteran who became wounded, injured, or ill in the line-of-duty after September 11, 2001.
“We’re grateful for this generous gift from The Kahlert Foundation,” says UMGC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Cathy Sweet. “It will help us put education within the reach of many deserving caregivers.”
Pillars of Strength was an ideal fit for The Kahlert Foundation, whose mission is to provide grants to non-profit organizations to improve the quality of life and well-being of the community in the areas of health care, education, youth programs, veteran organizations, and human services.
“Pillars of Strength encompasses both education and veterans and makes an impact in the state of Maryland, which is where part of our focus is,” explains Ellen Finnerty Myers, executive director of The Kahlert Foundation in Maryland, which also operates in Utah.
Each year, Pillars of Strength awards multiple scholarships that includes full tuition, fees, and course-required resources for each term during the academic year. This scholarship was established to honor the selflessness and compassionate dedication of caregivers of servicemembers or veterans.
“Caregivers are a population of the military community that are sometimes forgotten, and we are thrilled to be able to help make it easier for them to earn a degree, have a career, and live a fulfilling life,” adds Myers. “I can’t wait to hear about some of the students we were able to help through this grant.”
Click here for more information on how you can support the UMGC Pillars of Strength Scholarship.