The Newlin Foundation, dedicated to providing comprehensive guidance and scholarship opportunities to students living in the Coatesville Area School District, invites individuals and organizations to partner with the Foundation to create named scholarships that benefit qualifying Coatesville-area students.
For nearly 15 years, the Newlin Foundation has aided students within the Coatesville Area School District who have the desire to acquire a college education but may face systemic barriers to find the right college program, navigate the application process and access financial aid. In addition to providing students with five years of comprehensive mentorship and guidance, scholarships are often awarded to narrow the gap between the financial aid the student secures and their tuition and housing costs.
“We help organizations and individuals develop scholarship opportunities that reflect the spirit of the provider,” says Regina Lewis, Trustee, The Newlin Foundation. “Once students are named a Newlin scholar, they may compete for a named scholarship. Because we get to know each scholar’s background and commitment, we are able to connect them with the scholarship that is the best fit.”
Beginning in high school and throughout their higher-education experience, Newlin’s professional staff help Newlin Scholars with the entire college experience including navigating college search, applications, financial resources, adjustment to college life, and more.
“The hands-on guidance helps ensure a student’s success, and donors can feel confident that their scholarship investment dollars are optimized,” says Lewis. “The goal is that no students fails due to financial circumstances.”
A recent first-time scholarship that reflects the unique vision of the donor is the Solomon Hunter Scholarship, presented in partnership by Solomon Hunter, Jr., Esq. and the Chester County Community Foundation. Hunter, a Coatesville Area Senior High School (CASH) graduate, who is now a Partner with Troutman Pepper law firm, says, “While I struggled with my studies, I excelled as a high-school athlete. I leaned into the work ethic, persistence and determination that made me a successful runner to become a high-achieving student. My hope is that this scholarship will be awarded to students with dreams that may seem beyond their current academic circumstances, and that they will be inspired to believe in themselves and reach their full potentials.” The inaugural scholarship recipient is CASH high school senior Taylor Sherry.
Other named Newlin scholarships include The Alliance for Health Equity Harry Lewis, Jr. Scholarship that honors students, who like Mr. Lewis, have demonstrated great leadership and devotion to improving the quality of life in the Greater Coatesville Area. Lewis, a retired educator and former Chair of the Brandywine Health Foundation (now the Alliance for Health Equity) was a pioneer in Pennsylvania politics and a tireless advocate for Coatesville and Chester County. Maria Nino Mendez, a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh is the current recipient of the award, which provides a four-year scholarship and is awarded each year to a qualifying Coatesville-area scholar.
The Judy Spangler Memorial Scholarship, administered in partnership with The Alliance for Health Equity, is awarded every four years to an African American Coatesville student. Jazmin Bravo-Rodriguez, who is a freshman at Temple University, is the recipient of the current scholarship, which was established by three of Spangler’s former colleagues to honor her legacy of commitment to Coatesville youth and the region.
“One of the most common concerns for scholarship donors is that they don’t find out what happens to the student after the award is granted,” says Lewis. “The Newlin Foundation invites donors to maintain the level of involvement that they wish throughout the student’s journey. We can help donors create a customized scholarship that reflects an individual or organization’s unique vision or honor a loved one that will forever change the future for a deserving young person.”
To find out how to get started, or for more information email NewlinFoundation@gmail.com or visit NewlinFoundation.org.
