Harrisburg Housing Authority Presents Scholarship Awards

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — Chairman Leon J. Feinerman of the Harrisburg Housing Authority today announced the establishment of a scholarship fund and the initial award of scholarships to Harrisburg High School graduates who live in public housing and plan to go on to higher education.

Feinerman said, “The scholarship fund is the result of a gift to the Authority which was placed in the Harrisburg Public School Foundation.”

“We are very pleased to announce the awarding of three (3) scholarships to outstanding students,” said Chairman Feinerman. “Our Resident Services Staff and the Resident Council work together to improve opportunities for our residents to achieve their goals,” Feinerman said.

The Awardees are: Liliana Melendez, Mycla Griffin, and Maisah Warren. They each received $1,000 cash awards (see attached resumes).

The Harrisburg Public School Foundation’s mission is to facilitate partnership that benefits students in the Harrisburg School District by bringing together resources, financial support, equipment, supplies and volunteer services.

MISSION

The mission of the Foundation is to facilitate community partnerships that benefit the students in the Harrisburg School District by bringing together resources, financial support, supplies and volunteer services.

HISTORY

The Harrisburg Public School Foundation, a non-profit community-based organization launched in 1998, supports innovative programming in the Harrisburg School District. The foundation’s board of directors work in partnership with the District, Mayor Stephen R. Reed, the Board of Control, and business and community leaders to improve the quality of public education in Harrisburg — giving Harrisburg School District children the opportunity to grow up to be good citizens and strong leaders in the community.

                             BOARD OF DIRECTORS                              Ellen Smyk, Chair                         Andrew Gregoire, Treasurer                          Stacy Whisel, Secretary                             Charles DeBrunner                              Thomas Fowlston                                 Mary Hall                                Marcus Hite                               Mark Koellner                                Gary Manley                            Christopher Markley                               Morton Spector                         William Warren, Jr., Esq.                             Contact information:                       Lisa Paige, Executive Director                       Email: lpaige@hbgsd.k12.pa.us                            Phone: 717-703-4113                       Web site:  http://www.hbgpsf.org/                     Programs Supported by the Foundation   

The Harrisburg Preschool Program (HPP) — A collaboration between the Harrisburg School District (HSD) and Capital Area Head Start (CAHS) that provides year-round quality preschool to at-risk three- and four- year-olds in the Harrisburg District.

Harrisburg High School and Florida A&M University School of Business and Industry preparatory program — A preparatory program to give students knowledge of and experience with entrepreneurship.

Over the past years, the Harrisburg Public School Foundation has also supported the Capital Area School for the Arts (CASA). In 2006-07, the Foundation helped raise funds for the SciTech High School Robotics Team to participate in a national competition.

Why the Harrisburg School District Needs Your Help

The HSD serves the third poorest population of students in all 501 school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with 84% of all students qualified for free or reduced lunch. Reforms since the Mayor took responsibility for the school district have led to major improvements — a 93% increase in graduation rates, a 39% increase in enrollment, a 324% increase in the rate of graduating students attending college, and significant advances in standardized test scores — but the innovative programs leading to this success were originally supported by time-limited grants and must remain fully funded in order for this trend to continue.

How You Can Help

The Harrisburg Public School Foundation invites you to help today’s student become good parents, productive businessmen and women, dedicated educators, and proud community members and volunteers. You can become a partner with the Harrisburg Public School Foundation in several ways:

Direct Contributions

Individuals and business donors have the opportunity to make a direct, tax-deductible donation for the Foundation’s general fund or to support specific programs in the Harrisburg School District.

Matching Corporate Contributions

Businesses may match employee contributions dollar-for-dollar, or join those companies that offer two-to-one matching contribution programs to further employee philanthropy.

Tax Credit Contributions

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program allows businesses a 75% state tax credit for one-year gift and a 90% state tax credit for a two-year gift made in equal installments for contributions to Educational Improvement Organizations (EIOs). HPSF is registered as an EIO with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). To learn more about this program, visit the DCED website at http://www.newpa.com/ and search for EITC.

Contributions Well Spent

Total revenue from all sources for FY05-06 was $575,402. This includes income from direct contributions, gifts under the EITC Act, pledge installments and interest on accounts.

In FY05-06, the Foundation gave Harrisburg School District $522,800, using less than 8% of total revenue for administrative expenses. Expenses of $43,493 represent only 8.3% of total disbursements. The donated funds supported Early Childhood programs, scholarships, and the School of Business and Industry.

                                   RESUME                               LILIANA MELENDEZ   

Liliana has been accepted at the following colleges: Penn State University, Lincoln University, Norfolk State University, Coppin State University, Delaware State University and Kentucky State University.

She will be attending Penn State Harrisburg in the fall of 2007 with a major in marketing.

Liliana recently received the 2007 HARIE/FOXCO Michael G. Stefan Memorial Scholarship Award. She was active in the International Club and Spanish Club. Her community activities included: Boys and Girls Club, St. Francis of Assisi Volunteer, City Disaster Drill Team at the Harrisburg Hospital and also volunteered at the Milton S. Hershey Hospital.

                                   RESUME                                MYCLA GRIFFIN   

Mycla has been accepted at the following colleges: Albright College, Shippensburg University, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Villa Julie College, and Robert Morris University.

She has selected Albright College to attend in the fall of 2007 with a Secondary Education (English Major).

Her academic accomplishments are Honor Roll, Leadership Award and Academic Sports Award. Extra-curricular activities included Pennsylvania Career Association, Softball, Team Outreach Ladies Club, Cougar Council, and Tutor for Center for Champions.

                                   RESUME                                MAISAH WARREN   

Maisah has been accepted at the following colleges: Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Delaware State University and Norfolk State University.

She will be attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania in the fall of 2007 with a goal of becoming a child psychologist with a minor in social work.

Harrisburg Housing Authority

CONTACT: LeRoy Robinson, Jr. of the Harrisburg Housing Authority,+1-717-443-0862, fax, +1-717-233-8355

Web site: http://www.hbgpsf.org/