The Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) has awarded rising college freshman and CHA Work Force participant, Jaymie Montout, with a $5,000 Freedom and Civil Rights Scholarship. Each year, PHADA offers three scholarships, available nationally, for graduating high school seniors who reside at a PHADA member agency.
The Cambridge Housing Authority is a proud participating member of PHADA.
According to the award description on PHADA scholarship page: To be considered for the Freedom & Civil Rights Scholarship include a personal essay (350–500 words) demonstrating your efforts and achievements in furthering the values of the civil rights movement. Explain why the cause is still relevant in communities today and how they relate to your educational goals. Include any relevant volunteer experiences and community involvement activities relating to advancing the cause of civil rights.
Montout is hoping to continue her meaningful contributions to the black community by becoming a medical professional following her college career. “I am extremely happy to be awarded the PHADA Freedom and Civil Rights Scholarship as it has made my dream of attending a Historically Black College or University financially possible,” Montout told the Cambridge Housing Authority.
“During my time in college, I hope to be able to learn more about how I can directly give back to the Black community and do my part in promoting change to help resolve issues involving racial inequality, more specifically in the medical field.”
Montout is currently narrowing down her college acceptance letters and has been working closely with her Work Force program Senior Teacher-Counselor, Bryan Zuluaga.
About the Work Force Youth Program: Established in 1984, the Work Force Youth Program is a comprehensive after-school educational enrichment and work-readiness program for low-income teens in Cambridge public housing. Holistic in design, the program provides participants with sustained networks of learning and support over a critical nine-year span: from the eighth grade through the first four years of post-secondary education. The goal of the Work Force program is to help its participants to acquire the wide range of skills necessary for long-term success.