DHA’s Opportunity Rising Foundation Announces Scholarships Awarded to
22 North Texas High School Students
DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Opportunity Rising, the education foundation for DHA, Housing
Solutions for North Texas, awarded 22 North Texas students with
college scholarships at their Opportunity Rising Foundation Scholarship
Awards Banquet last night. The scholarship recipients will attend Texas
Christian University, University of North Texas, Tarleton State
University, The Art Institute of Dallas, Texas A&M University,
University of Miami, The University of Texas at Dallas, University of
Houston, Texas Southern University, Southern University and A&M College,
Hardin-Simmons University, and Sam Houston State University.
In 22-years DHA’s education foundation (previously known as the Phoenix
Foundation) has awarded nearly $1.5 million in scholarships to high
school graduates & returning college students – all of whom are DHA
affordable housing residents throughout North Texas. Opportunity Rising
assists its participating students with scholarships, internships,
mentorships, and other learning opportunities.
“DHA, our board of commissioners, and our staff are immensely proud of
each of our Opportunity Rising scholars,” said Troy Broussard,
president, and CEO of DHA. “Providing solutions for our residents to
become more self-sufficient and attain their goals for a college degree
is a long-term solution to combating poverty. At Opportunity Rising and
DHA, we encourage academic excellence, high self-esteem, positive
self-image, leadership and community involvement among our families. Our
scholars remind us that perseverance and support can truly be a formula
for success.”
Based on historical data, 71% of previous Opportunity Rising Foundation
scholars were first generation college students and 76% were able to
move on to employment and no longer receiving government assistance.
Scholarship recipients are from the Booker T. Washington High School for
the Performing and Visual Arts, School of Business and Management,
School of Education and Social Services, Duncanville High School, Newman
Smith High School, South Oak Cliff High School, Plano Senior High
School, Plano West Senior High School, Grand Prairie Collegiate
Institute, Mansfield Legacy High School, Cedar Hill High School, and
Life High School Waxahachie.
Separately, DHA client and former Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy
student, Oliyadi Girma, has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the
Texas Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment
Officials (TXNAHRO) and $250,000 from Texas Christian University (TCU)
to attend Fall 2019.
Opportunity Rising Advisory Board
The foundation’s advisory board consists of ten diverse North Texas
community leaders with expertise in academics, business, community
relations, economic development, healthcare, and non-profits. Members
are:
-
Froswa’ Booker-Drew, Ph.D., director of community affairs & strategic
alliances for the State Fair of Texas -
Ashley Brundage, MSSW, senior vice president of community impact at
United Way of Metropolitan Dallas -
Nakia Douglas, executive director of TRIO and Pre-collegiate Programs
at UNT Dallas - Scott Fawcett, founder, and CEO of Empowered Consulting
- Byron D. Johnson, sales executive for Enterprise Holdings
- Clarisa Duran Lindenmeyer, executive business strategist
- Claudia Muniz, controller for Structural & Steel Products
- Erin Offord, senior director of programs for Big Thought
-
Drexell Owusu, senior vice president of Education and Workforce for
the Dallas Regional Chamber -
Danielle Wesley, MHA, PMP, CSSBB, senior director, school & virtual
health program for Children’s Health
The advisory board issued this joint statement:
“The mission of the advisory board is to help the foundation reach more
students than ever before while expanding youth’s exposure to
educational opportunities that can help to propel them towards
self-sufficiency. We are thrilled to see the students receive
scholarships that help them pursue their collegiate goals. And a special
thank you to our sponsors, like Macy’s, Capital One, and the DHA staff,
for your generous investments in our scholars.”
About the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA)
DHA Housing Solutions for North Texas provides quality, affordable
housing to low-income families and individuals through the effective and
efficient administration of housing assistance programs. The agency aims
to create opportunities for program participants to achieve
self-sufficiency and economic independence. DHA provides housing
opportunities to 55,000 people through public housing developments and
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) programs. Our mission is to provide
affordable quality housing and access to supportive resources across
North Texas. DHA is governed by its Board of Commissioners and the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development. DHA is an independent,
local government entity, that is separate from the Dallas
City Housing/Community Services department, which is governed by the
City of Dallas. For more information about DHA, please visit www.dhantx.com.
Contacts
Jacqueline Chen Valencia
CONNECTIVE Agency
[email protected]
