Academic Scholarships Were Awarded to JAG Students Facing Financial Challenges, Who Have Overcome Significant Obstacles to Graduate High School
Washington, DC, June 30, 2020 – Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG), a national nonprofit that has served over 1.4 million youth who face significant academic, emotional and environmental challenges for four decades, is pleased to announce that T-Mobile has provided academic scholarships to 27 JAG students nationwide. These $1,000 scholarship recipients have displayed incredible resilience and commitment to higher education and will use the funds to cover college expenses this fall.
Since high school graduations were cancelled, postponed, or modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, T-Mobile helped bring the graduation tradition of the cap toss to life…virtually through a TikTok cause marketing campaign. Participants posted TikTok videos with #TossYourCap, and T-Mobile made a $5 donation to JAG per video, up to $200,000. The response to this challenge was spectacular, allowing JAG to reach the $200,000 goal and donation from T-Mobile. A portion of these funds will help build virtual services for JAG students in addition to the scholarships for JAG students. Scholarship recipients were chosen based on their application, high school transcript, letters of reference, leadership experience, description of community service, and essay.
In Arizona, the following students were awarded T-Mobile scholarships:
“We’re extremely thankful to T-Mobile for their generosity in an extraordinarily difficult year. JAG students have been hit the hardest – and will likely be impacted the longest – by the COVID-19 crisis. For many JAG students and their families, the pandemic has led to the loss of jobs and necessary income. T-Mobile’s scholarships will help JAG students pursue secondary education and meaningful careers,” said Ken Smith, President of Jobs for America’s Graduates. “As of May 31, even during the worst of the pandemic, JAG had 40% enrolled in post-secondary education – the same percentage as last year. This at a time when the post-secondary system faced unprecedented challenges due to COVID-19. These funds are certainly going to good use.”
“The students selected to receive T-Mobile’s scholarships have demonstrated hard work, dedication, tenacity, and positivity, overcoming a variety of significant challenges to succeed in high school, get accepted to college, and pursue positive pathways – even during a pandemic. The past few months have undoubtedly been difficult, challenging, and chaotic, and we’re proud of these scholarship recipients – and all of our JAG students – for finishing the school year strong,” said Graciela Garcia Candia, President of Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates.
“The future is bright because America’s youth are passionate, driven and striving for change, and this donation towards education is just a part of T-Mobile’s overall investment and our commitment to empower the change makers of tomorrow,” said Brigitta Witt, VP, Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability at T-Mobile. “Congratulations to each of these award recipients … we can’t wait to see all of their achievements!”
As businesses and schools adapt in response to COVID-19, JAG, their state-based Affiliates, and dedicated JAG Coordinators continue to provide ongoing services to 75,000 youth across the country so they are prepared for the competitive job market following graduation. As schools remain closed and social distancing guidelines continue, JAG is using virtual tools and learning modules to stay connected with students, ensure their basic needs are being met, and make certain they’re well-prepared to enter one of the worst job markets in our nation’s history.
About Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates
Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates identifies Arizona youth who need some additional support to graduate from high school and build a pathway to continued education, meaningful careers, and productive adulthood. This is particularly relevant today, given the variety of economic, academic, and environment barriers our nation’s youth face.
Jobs for Arizona’s Graduates (JAG) partners with local school districts, the business community, the public sector, and other non-profits to help young people stay in school and acquire the academic, personal, leadership and vocations skills they’ll need to be successful upon graduation. JAG works with youth from 6th grade through age 24. JAG runs school and community-based programs throughout the state and has served nearly 40,000 students in Arizona since 1980.
About Jobs for America’s Graduates
Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a national nonprofit that has been reaching our nation’s most underserved youth for 40 years. JAG is a unique, valuable and necessary program providing youth with the essential skills for success. The JAG National Network has a footprint in 39 states, across 1,400 communities, impacting more than 75,000 youth annually.
(602) 216-9503 I info@jagaz.org