OAKS Scholarship Celebration

Be a part of something BIG. It starts with coming together to do more than we could do on our own. For more than 20 years—our community has been coming together to help students who have struggled to beat the odds to pursue an education.  With your help, the OAKS Scholarship program has been changing lives with $300,000 in scholarships to 175 students.

The Overcoming Adversity Keeping Strong (OAKS) Scholarship program is dedicated to helping students who have struggled but are moving forward towards their educational goals.  Supported by individuals, business and community organizations, these scholarships recognize these students’ hard work and determination with a $2,500 scholarship to RCTC.  These scholarships have provided an education that supports a rewarding career and lifts families out of poverty.

Last year, we awarded 6 OAKS Scholarships.  

• Your gifts helped Santos who has paid all his own expenses since he was 14.  Now he can afford to go to college.  
• Your gifts helped Abigail who is in recovery from addiction and can use her experience to help others as a social worker.  
• Your gifts supported Angela who wants to become a therapist to help others who have experienced childhood abuse.  
• Your gifts helped Terry show his kids that he will never give up. 
• Your gifts helped Autumn advance in her career--so she can show other ALC students the importance  of staying in school.   
• Your gifts helped Jordyn who wants to become a teacher to create a safe space for her students.  

This year, we will award 7 OAKS Scholarships to students who are pursuing their dreams. You will learn more about these amazing students at our 2023 OAKS Scholarship Celebration on October 12, 2023.  (Book your tickets here.)  

These scholarships are made possible by donations from people like you.    

Your gift, combined with others, has helped us to expand the OAKS program to help more students reach their goals.   We need your help to offer these life-changing scholarships for our 2024 student recipients.  

Help us unlock an additional $2,500 scholarship by reaching our $10,000 goal.  This matching challenge is sponsored by Altra Federal Credit Union. 

All gifts received by Monday, October 16 will count towards our match challenge.