Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund

Patrick & Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund

Status: Active scholarship program

Geographic Scope: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands

Funder: St. Croix Foundation for Community Development (in partnership with Junior Gaspard and the Gaspard family)

Overview:
The Patrick and Amelia Williams Opportunity Fund was established in 2018 by Junior Gaspard, a native of St. Croix and graduate of Central High School and John H. Woodson Junior High School, to honor his grandparents, Patrick and Amelia Williams. The scholarship aims to provide opportunities for St. Croix students to pursue their career goals through colleges or universities, supporting youth who have overcome obstacles and demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity.

Purpose:
The Fund honors the hard work, determination, and resilience of Patrick and Amelia Williams and provides opportunities to youth who have met obstacles but persevered despite these challenges and see educational pursuits as a means to achieving personal and professional success.

Award Details:

Maximum Award: Up to $5,000 per scholarship

Number of Awards: Up to 2 scholarships per year

Additional Support: Mini-grants provided to prior year recipients as continued support for their studies

Eligibility Requirements:

Graduates from a St. Croix public high school

Must have attended a St. Croix public junior high school

Current residents of St. Croix

Maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher

Provide proof of acceptance to an accredited college or university

Demonstrate financial need

Selection Criteria:
Applications are reviewed on the basis of:

Residency

School attendance

GPA (2.0 or higher)

Personal essays demonstrating the reality of socioeconomic challenges

Involvement in meaningful community service

Participation in extra-curricular activities

Overall demonstrated resilience and perseverance

Program History:
As of July 2019, the Fund had awarded over $38,000 in scholarships to multiple St. Croix students pursuing degrees in fields including nursing, engineering, criminal justice, culinary arts, and visual arts.

Recipient Reporting Requirements:
All scholarship recipients are required to submit regular reports to the Foundation on their academic progress, successes, and challenges throughout the year.

Contact Information:

Phone: 340-773-9898

Email: lcox@stxfoundation.org or staff@stxfoundation.org

Address: 1023 Market Street, Christiansted, VI 00820; PO BOX 1128, Christiansted, VI 00821

Website: stxfoundation.org