Michael A. Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Children’s Foundation of America honored the legacy of Michael A. Alexander, Trinity Youth Services board president for 12 years, who passed away in January 2004 at the age of 72, by establishing our first scholarship fund in his memory.
Although many talented individuals have served on the board over the years, none has made as indelible a mark in our organization, our culture and our hearts as Michael Alexander. A distinguished innovator, businessman, philanthropist and community leader, Michael was actively associated with our organization for an astounding 18 years. His legacy of integrity, leadership, teamwork, and commitment to excellence at Trinity remain an inspiration to our entire organization. Michael Alexander was a champion in his community and was a great benefactor of children and families in need.
Mr. Alexander, born in Milwaukee, WI in 1931, resided in Santa Barbara, where much of his family live. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953, served in the United States Air Force, retired from Delco Electronics after 36 years, was a past President of the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Parish Council and was chairman of the board of other enterprises.
The Michael A. Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed to assist present and former Trinity Youth Services and Foster Care clients in pursuing their academic and/or vocational education. The goal of the Scholarship Fund is to ensure academic success and/or a successful emancipation from Trinity’s care.
The fund allows youth who are or have been in Trinity’s care to experience a network of support, the keys to successful emancipation, and the understanding that regardless of their past, it is always possible to look toward a brighter future. The fund assists youth by granting awards of up to $5,000 per year. The actual award amount is at the Scholarship Committees’ discretion.
Even after the youth has left Trinity’s placement, he or she can apply to renew their awards as long as they are still in school and are working part time, are working full time and successfully transitioning out of placement and working on attaining higher education, or are still in high school and taking one or more accredited college courses.
Youth applying for a scholarship or renewal of the scholarship must be between the ages of 16 and 24. Funds awarded through the Michael A. Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund are used for education purposes (tuition fees, books, supplies and room and board) and/or emancipation purposes (rent, utilities and basic living items like transportation, groceries, pots, pans, etc.).
Applicants for the Scholarship Fund must be between 16 and 24 years old, be a current or former Trinity Youth Services client who is successfully completing or successfully completed the program with a positive release, completed high school with a 2.0 grade point average or achieved a GED, is enroll in college or trade school or is working full time and plans to continue their education. Applications are provided to foster youth through Trinity Youth Services’ program.
Donations may be made to the Michael A. Alexander Memorial Scholarship Fund by clicking the donate button or mail a check payable to Children’s Foundation of America to P.O. Box 1210, Claremont, CA 91711 and specify “Alexander Scholarship” in the memo.