Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship

The Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Oregon high school seniors from families affected by alcohol or drug addiction. The scholarship honors Al Forthan, a man who transformed his life through recovery at the Volunteers of America Men's Residential Center (MRC) and became the first alumnus to work there.

Purpose: The scholarship serves three purposes:

• Honor Al Forthan
• Award higher education scholarships to students from families impacted by addiction and poverty
• Encourage students to explore how addiction has impacted the community and solutions to this problem

Eligibility:

• Must be an Oregon high school senior
• Must be from a family affected by alcohol or drug addiction
• "Affected by addiction" means: you have been raised by a parent or guardian who has experienced addiction OR you have abused alcohol or drugs and are now pursuing recovery

Award Amounts:

• One $10,000 scholarship will be awarded (allocated in $2,500 installments over four years)
• Several other scholarships of various amounts will be awarded
• For the $10,000 scholarship, applicants must include a 1-page letter of support from a teacher, coach, school counselor, adult mentor, pastor, etc.
• For scholarships less than $10,000, a letter of support is not required

History & Impact:

• Established in 2006 by Greg Stone, MRC Program Director, with $500 from his own pocket
• Since 2006, $1,226,000 in total scholarship assistance has been awarded
• 2026: $126,000 awarded to 84 students
• 2025: $100,000 awarded to 62 students
• 2024: $124,000 awarded to 42 students (record single year)
• Cumulative growth from $500 (2006) to $126,000 (2026)

About Al Forthan:

• Al was heavily involved in drug and criminal lifestyle in Portland
• In 1992, he entered and completed treatment at VOA Oregon's Men's Residential Center
• He enrolled in Portland Community College's Alcohol & Drug Counselor Program and became a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor
• In 1996, he became the first MRC alumnus to work there
• Worked for ten years at MRC, touching hundreds of lives
• Passed away in 2006

Geographic Scope: Oregon

Contact Information:

• Email: Tess Fowler at tfowler@voaor.org
• Phone: (503) 802-0299
• Address: Volunteers of America Oregon, 3910 SE Stark Street, Portland, OR 97214

Application Process

Current Status: The 2026 application period closed on February 2nd, 2026.

Application Requirements:

Applicants must respond to 6 questions or statements in essay format.

Format Requirements:

• Submit as Microsoft Word or Google Document
• If you don't have a Google account, email as Microsoft Word or Google Document to Tessa Fowler
• Type out each question, followed by your response
• All essays typed in 12pt font, Times New Roman, double-spaced
• Maximum 1 page for letter of support (for $10,000 scholarship applicants only)
• List sources for questions 1 & 2

Letter of Support (for $10,000 scholarship only):

• Maximum 1 page
• From teacher, coach, school counselor, adult mentor, pastor, or similar
• Describes applicant's character and why recommending for scholarship

Submission:

• Email to Tessa Fowler as Microsoft Word or Google Document
• Or submit online (if application portal available)

Contact for Questions:

• Email: Tess Fowler (tfowler@voaor.org)
• Phone: (503) 802-0299