School on Wheels of Massachusetts (SOWMA) today unveiled the 2024
“Soaring Scholar” scholarship recipients.
The Soaring Scholars program begin in 2022. This privately funded scholarship was made possible by Bill and Annmarie Harlor of Norton after they served as volunteer mentors and saw how their student mentee thrived with caring guidance. All scholarship recipients are high school or post-secondary students who are active participants in SOWMA’s Bridge Mentoring Program.
The Bridge Mentoring Program provides educational support and resources to Massachusetts high school and college-aged students facing homelessness, and matches those students with a reliable volunteer mentor.
The Harlors initiated the scholarship program after being introduced to SOMWA in 2021 by Founder Cheryl Opper. After seeing the success of the Bridge Mentoring students, the Harlors pledged $50,000 over four years to initiate the scholarship funding. They ask family and friends to help support the scholarship program.
In the first three years of the scholarship program, more than $80,000 in has been awarded to students in need.
“These students are growing up in very difficult situations,” said Annmarie Harlor. “They just need a little financial support, along with the commitment and guidance they get from their mentor and the SOWMA team,” she added.
“My favorite part is meeting the students and hearing about their journey. It is incredibly inspiring when a student that we have helped completes their education and gets a job in their chosen field. In my mind, that is the definition of breaking the cycle of homelessness, “ said Bill Harlor.
Director of SOWMA’s Bridge Program Brittany O’Hare added, “Our scholarship recipients are extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to reach for their goals, which would otherwise not be possible,” she said.
