Program Provides Both Academic & Vocational Scholarship Support to Farmworkers & Their Families
Napa, CA, March 8, 2023— Ag Health Benefits Alliance (AHBA) is accepting scholarship applications to the AHBA Educational Foundation, LLC through March 31. Now in its fourth year, for the first time the program will offer two distinct scholarship tracks: academic and vocational awards, in amounts of up to $5,000 per awardee.
“We are thrilled to offer these two different scholarship opportunities,” notes AHBA Educational Foundation President Rebecca Barlow. “One is for applicants beginning or continuing their academic education at a community college, four-year college, or university. The other is a separate scholarship track for those wishing to obtain vocational training, be it at a local trade school, job training, or certificate program.”
Applications are open from March 1 to 31 for both programs and scholarships will be awarded in May. A second, vocational-only campaign will be offered June 1 to 30. The new vocational program is named the Lee Henderson Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of the organization’s previous president. Applications and more information are available on the website, aghealthbenefits.org/scholarships/.
Made possible through donations from Mike Wolf, the Michael L. Wolf Trust and other sources, the program is available to AHBA group health plan participants, their spouses, and children or grandchildren (under age 25). “This year we hope to see an increase in applications for the vocational scholarships,” says Wolf. “These scholarships make it possible for our members’ employees and families to advance their careers and to solidify promotions and salary increases that were previously out of reach. Our aim is that these scholarships will be a win/win, for both the employers and employees.”
The program has garnered appreciation from previous successful applicants:
“Graduating from college has been my biggest dream ever since middle school… My parents are immigrants and did not get the privilege to finish high school or attend college. My college journey is not only mine but also my parents’. They have shown me that with hard work and dedication anyone can accomplish their biggest dreams.”—V.D.M.S., 2022 Scholarship Awardee, Napa
“I firmly believe someone’s current economic status doesn’t determine their future or limit their dreams; we have the power to change it.” —S.P.D., 2021 and 2022 Scholarship Awardee, Yountville
About Ag Health Benefits Alliance: Ag Health Benefits Alliance (AHBA) has been providing affordable health insurance and other benefits to agricultural employees in Northern California since its founding as the California Winegrower Foundation in 1972. Started by a group of forward-thinking winegrape growers who shared a common goal of improving working conditions, AHBA is a non-profit member organization that supports both employers and employees. AHBA’s members were dedicated to providing health benefits for employees, including seasonal workers, long before it was required by law. Today, AHBA provides those benefits to more than 1,500 agricultural employees.
