Celebrating the UMFS Scholarship Recipients

March 20, 2020

Each year at the UMFS Scholarship Reception, it’s our distinct honor to celebrate the young adults who are following their dreams of higher education. It is also an honor is to recognize the selfless donors who make it all possible. UMFS is a community of unwavering champions working together in countless ways to support and empower children, teens, and families. Donor-supported programs like the UMFS Scholarship fund are a shining example of generosity. And as evidenced by the photo above, donor-supported programs also bring great joy to the young beneficiaries.

About the students (pictured from left)

Sophia is a former UMFS Project LIFE participant and a current UMFS employee. She’s working toward her Master’s of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Justine is a student in the UMFS Courage to Succeed program pursuing a general studies degree at Reynolds Community College.

Catherine is part of the UMFS Treatment Foster Care program and a student at John Tyler Community College.

Chase is a student in the UMFS Courage to Succeed program pursuing a General Studies degree at Reynolds Community College.

Cole is a UMFS Courage to Succeed student pursuing a health science degree at Reynolds Community College.

Melvin (not pictured) is a member of the UMFS Project LIFE program and previously was part of the UMFS Treatment Foster Care program. He’s a student at Old Dominion University and plans to major in human services and minor in Psychology.

Ericka (not pictured) is part of the UMFS Treatment Foster Care program and a student at Virginia State University.

About the scholarships
The Pop Smith Scholarship was established in 1974 in honor of Reverend E. Leon “Pop” Smith, superintendent of the Virginia Methodist Children’s Home from 1949-1974. The Richard P. Leedom Memorial Scholarship was established by his sons in 2016. Richard Leedom overcame economic challenges to achieve his higher education dream, and the Leedom scholarship supports other students so they may do so, as well.

CLICK HERE if you’d like to make a donation to support the UMFS Scholarship program.