Our Mission
Our Mission and Vision
Marcy Houses Memorial Scholarship Fund exists to encourage and motivate post-secondary students from the Marcy Houses in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, NY, and strategize with them to complete a course of study. Our vision is higher education, economic achievement and social well-being for residents of the Marcy Houses students. In service of this vision, we provide financial support and mentorship to college or trade school students and engage in outreach initiatives to all who live in the Marcy Houses. (Marcy Houses Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit; federal EIN: 84-2758847)
About the Marcy Houses
Nearly 4,000 New Yorkers live in the Marcy Houses, a where the average income in 2020 was $27,986. 42% of residents are between the ages of 18 and 49. This is an important demographic marker since the Scholarship Program is intended to reach not only recent high school graduates, but also those who are returning to college or to a trade program after a hiatus of some length. (Source: 2020 Resident Data Book of the New York City Housing Authority)
The Marcy Houses Scholarships and 12 Month Mentorship Program
Our program is offered exclusively to Marcy Houses residents. Program participants will be granted financial support and active engagement with a mentor who is paired with the student based on interests and experience. The mentorship program also includes a monthly peer-group meetup.
Four Program Pillars guide our workshops and learning activities
1) The School Experience, 2) Money Management, 3) Career Exploration, and 4) Community Service all are essential to the development of well-rounded young adults. Helping students regulate their emotions, communicate effectively and build healthy relationships is also important, so social-emotional learning is weaved into every learning experience and student interaction.
We are dedicated to helping students navigate college or trade school, supporting their success with financial planning, guiding them towards meaningful careers, encouraging them to participate in community service and celebrating their success along the way.
For Not By Myself Alone!
Beyond the mentoring offered as part of the Scholarship, selected students will also have opportunities to serve as mentors themselves. Additionally, the Marcy Houses Memorial Scholarship Fund, Inc. will form linkages with high school guidance counselors, advisors, the community school board and other community-based organizations to encourage students to pursue higher education/career training and to apply for any scholarships offered through the Fund.