Elizabeth House Awards $10,000 Scholarship to Daughter of Alumna at Back-to-School Event

Elizabeth House Executive Director Jill Hammer, Director of Programs Terry Bright, Scholarship Committee Representative Sandy Van Berkhout, and Board Member Greg Smith presented a $10,000 award to Passion Washington, daughter of an Elizabeth House alum, during Elizabeth House’s first “Gear Up for School” event held Saturday evening, August 5.

The scholarship funds will be used towards Washington’s tuition at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, one of the nation’s top-ranked film programs.

The Scholarship Program at Elizabeth House provides financial support to Elizabeth House residents, alumna, and their children, who are pursuing career advancement or higher educational degrees. The funding is offered for such things as tuition assistance, testing fees, books and supplies associated with study programs, uniforms, and similar needs.

Washington has been passionate about film for the past four years, and said Saturday that she is “so grateful and honored to be able to go to university” as a first-generation student, knowing the impact the scholarship will have on her post-graduation debt and her ability to utilize the education she will receive.

Williams received the scholarship following an application process and review by the Elizabeth House Scholarship Committee.

Founded in 1994, Elizabeth House takes a trauma-informed approach to break the cycles of homelessness, abuse, and suffering. Through shelter and lifelong support, Elizabeth House empowers pregnant and parenting women in need to reclaim their lives and build successful family legacies, according to a recent news release detailing the scholarship award.

With wrap-around services and a strong alumni and community client program, Elizabeth House is also the only residential program in the San Gabriel Valley that embraces both pregnant mothers and their children up to the age of five. The program has now served over 900 women and children and grandchildren.

Through generous donations, Elizabeth House is able to continue providing essential support like the $10,000 scholarship Washington received to assist with her university tuition.

More information about Elizabeth House’s services and programs is available at www.elizabethhouse.net. Elizabeth House will also hold its “Night under the Stars” 2023 gala on October 21.