Open to first-generation college students who are children of team members, LandCare announces that 18 new students have been selected to receive scholarship awards for the 2024-25 school year. This marks the largest number of new scholarships granted since the program's inception in 2022, bringing the total number of students currently receiving awards to 26.
"Our team members value their children's futures, so we're here to ensure they know about LEAF's support, from childhood literacy and college prep to scholarships," says Camila Alvarez, LEAF program director. "Every time I see a student light up with the realization that their dream of higher education is within reach, it's incredibly emotional. It's not just about providing financial assistance or academic resources; it's about seeing these young people, many of whom have faced significant obstacles, step into a future they once thought was out of reach. Every step forward for these students feels like a victory for the entire community.”
Including the $67,500 in scholarships awarded this year, the LEAF Foundation has awarded $124,500 in scholarships to a total of 49 students since the program’s launch. In May of this year, the scholarship program celebrated its second graduate, Moris Cruz, a 2022 and 2023 scholarship recipient, who received his Risk Management and Insurance degree from the University of Georgia. Aligning with LandCare's mission to support students nationally, LEAF's latest group of recipients will attend schools in 12 different states, from California to Connecticut.
“These scholarships are one key way of helping the families of our team members overcome the barriers to higher education," CEO Mike Bogan says. "The significant growth in applicants this year is exciting, as it means we’re reaching more people and changing more lives. But we know it's just the beginning – the path to college starts at an early age, and we're committed to expanding our programs to remove all the obstacles we can identify."
