The Excitement and Inspiration of “What’s Next”
This midpoint of summer is when the graduates who we were very recently celebrating are earnestly planning for their respective “what’s next” phase of life. At the Housing Opportunities Commission (HOC) and Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOCP) we are proud to focus this month’s blog on two groups of customers progressing rapidly toward their brighter futures: the 2024 Tony Davis Memorial Scholarship recipients and the Family Self Sufficiency program graduates.
Celebrating Commitment to Service
HOC established the Tony Davis Memorial Scholarship program shortly after our colleague Tony Davis was tragically killed in 2000 while defending residents in the Germantown community in which he lived and worked for HOC. Mr. Davis tirelessly sought to improve the lives of HOC customers and served as a role model to many, especially young people. The scholarship program named after him celebrates his spirit of public service.
Each year we are proud to award scholarships in Mr. Davis’ memory to incredibly impressive young people who have overcome adversity and excelled academically. They also exhibit a commitment to leadership and civic service that Mr. Davis would have admired. This year’s scholarship recipients are:
Kelci Cunningham
Kelci Cunningham graduated from Northwood High School with a GPA of 3.7. Throughout high school, Kelci has been a part of the Politics, Advocacy, and Law Academy, where she learned to become a legal-savvy teenager. Kelci interned at Montgomery County Councilmember Kristin Minks’ office, where she explored public policy and helped the councilmember meet with students around the district. In the fall, Kelci will attend Morgan State University in their Honors Program, majoring in Political Science. After she receives her degree, she plans on obtaining her masters in international relations and then pursuing a career in the Foreign Service.
Joelle Hounyovi
Joelle Hounyovi graduated from Thomas S. Wootton High School with a 3.55 GPA. Joelle was president of the Wootton Wellness Warriors and Wootton KASA in her junior year. She also was a member of the National Honors Society, the Principal’s Advisory Cabinet and many other clubs. Through the dual enrollment program, she has already completed one year of college. She will attend George Mason University.
Kangmin Kim
Kangmin Kim graduated from Quince Orchard High School with a GPA of 3.47. Kangmin will attend Virginia Tech this upcoming fall semester, majoring in biological sciences. He plans to become a physician or physical therapist.
Abigail Lakew
Abigail Lakew graduated from Bethesda Chevy Chase High School with a GPA of 4.0. Through the dual enrollment program, she has already received an Associates of Science Degree in Biological Sciences from Montgomery College. Her awards include the Dr. Harry Harden Jr. Student Academic Excellence Award and the Student Employee of the Year from the Chemical and Biological Sciences Department at Montgomery College. In the fall, she will attend the University of Maryland at College Park. Her goal is to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Natania Mehari
Natania Mehari graduated from Montgomery Blair High School with a weighted GPA of 4.67. Her academic and career goals are to work on increasing STEM opportunities for underserved, minority youth. Natania hopes to be able to support programs such as National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Girls Who Code and eventually to create her own programs that help minorities to pursue STEM careers. She will attend George Washington University, majoring in Engineering.
Enabling Self Sufficiency
As its name suggests, the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) career development program is designed to help individuals with housing subsidies make progress toward economic security by increasing their earnings and building assets.
Over the course of five years FSS participants work with an HOC service coordinator to identify their financial and employment-related goals, receive support with pursuing education and employment and have access to a range of support services that offer assistance in achieving their goals.
During that time, as participants’ income rises, increased earnings accumulate in a savings escrow account. Upon their graduation from FSS, participants are able to withdraw those funds to help them pursue further education, start a small business or make a down payment on a home of their own.
HOC in June celebrated 33 adults who graduated from the FSS program. Their average income upon graduation was $53,393. Three had increased their annual income by $12,000. One graduate increased her yearly income by $25,000. All have significantly increased their job skills, obtained better paying jobs and positioned themselves to secure better their lives for themselves and their families. And while doing so they accumulated an average of $17,322 in their escrow account.
A Legacy of Success, Inspiring the Future
The most recent cohort of FSS graduates becomes part of a legacy of success. Since its inception in 1993, 1,146 HOC customers have successfully completed the program. The achievements of this year’s Tony Davis Memorial Scholarship recipients and FSS program graduates are truly awe-inspiring and we’re excited to see what develops next for them. The funds raised via our biennial, aptly-named Inspire Celebration are critical for the continuation and expansion of the life-changing programs that have helped open those doors to the future.
Please consider becoming an HOCP Inspire Celebration donor or sponsor today. Thank you in advance for your support.