ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Eduardo R., 33, came to the Allentown Rescue Mission during the start of the coronavirus pandemic. At the time his painting business, which had three full-time employees, was forced to shut down. It led to a deep depression.
- Allentown Rescue Mission has begun awarding college scholarships
- Scholarships are open to all graduates of its Transformation Program
- Scholarships are for the length of the program
Now he has a new lease on life – as a college student.
“I’m not as young as I used to be,” said Eduardo about the scholarship given to him by the Mission. “I wanted something different for myself.”
This semester, he started classes at Lehigh Carbon Community College.
He is currently enrolled in a business administration certificate. He then plans to get his associate's degree, and after that, his bachelor's. He takes four online classes and one at LCCC’s Donley Center, which he walks to twice a week.
“Taking business management, it opens up the horizons for networking and marketing,” said Eduardo.
“The next time around, whether I choose to open up the painting business again,” he said, “or a different business venture,” his education will help him make it a success.
The money for the scholarship was donated by Glasbern Inn in Fogelsville and an anonymous benefactor. Its goal is to make men who are unhoused more employable.
The scholarship is open to all graduates of the Allentown Rescue Mission’s Transformation Program, a residential program that helps men heal through individual assessments and one-on-one counseling.
According to the website, the program requires a commitment to change.
Eduardo is the third recipient of the fund.
“Many men who are homeless struggle with believing there is a way to get back on their feet,” said Mark Faucette, Emergency Shelter Supervisor and Transformation Program Associate at the Allentown Rescue Mission in a press release.
“This scholarship is a much-needed asset for our men to obtain an education that is critical.”
His hope is the scholarship helps individuals who are unhoused to better provide for themselves and their families.
“I would like to let anybody out there know if they're going through any hardships,” said Eduardo, “to keep hope alive and don't be afraid to go back to school, no matter what age you are.
“Knowledge is power.”