To assist women survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation in their lifelong journey to healing, Refuge for Women has launched the Education Scholarship Program for residents and graduates of the Refuge program. While the Refuge has provided housing and holistic services for over 10 years, a key piece missing in the effort to equip women to succeed and sustain a life marked with dignity and hope is the opportunity to attain higher education.
“As residents heal and they begin to dream about the future, furthering their education is an important component to those dreams,” shares Refuge for Women Founder and President, Ked Frank. “Stats show the less education women have, the more vulnerable they are in society. We are so excited to implement this program to help fund dreams of better tomorrows.”
Scholarship recipients may choose to attend Indiana Wesleyan University and take advantage of the existing partnership between the Refuge and IWU or attend an accredited post-secondary institution/accredited trade school of their choosing. Scholarships may be renewed for up to 4 years, with an increasing amount awarded each year as the program continues and is fully funded.
In this the inaugural year of the program, the committee will award 4 education scholarships. To qualify, residents must have been active in the Refuge program for 6 months, be in good standing with the organization, and be recommended by a Refuge staff member. Residents or program graduates interested in applying for a 2022 scholarship must complete the online application process by July 15. Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award by the end of July. To be awarded a renewal of their scholarship, recipients must demonstrate an ability and desire to succeed as seen by a minimum College/University/Trade School GPA of 2.5 at the time of their scholarship renewal.
The scholarship committee is aspiring to raise $100,000 by the end of the year to assist residents and graduates in their pursuits of post-secondary education. Anyone—individuals, organizations, corporations—can assist these women as they pursue independence and lessen their chance of being re-trafficked in the future. Give the gift of education with a contribution to the Education Scholarship Program.
Should you have any further questions about this program, please email Ked Frank at ked.frank@refugeforwomen.org.
