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Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA OF OREGON INC

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Funding Amount

$10,000 (one scholarship); various amounts for additional scholarships

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Al Forthan Memorial Scholarship

Overview: 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

    • How to Apply

    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

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    addiction-recoveryeducationhardship

    Categories

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