Scholarship Program Helps Nontraditional Students Get Back on Track
by Kathy Register
Lowell, Mass. – Determined to help young people facing significant personal challenges continue their education and achieve greater independence, longtime friends Dave Aldrich and Ronnie Hoey turned to the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) to establish the Jump Start Scholarship Program.
Designed specifically for nontraditional students, Jump Start awards $2,500 scholarships twice a year to individuals striving to get their lives in order by studying at accredited vocational training programs, certificate programs, community colleges, or four-year colleges and universities.
Launched in 2023, Jump Start has awarded a total of $44,000 to 17 individuals, ages 18 and above, as part of its first two award cycles in fall 2023 and spring 2024.
“The Jump Start Scholarship program is just one more way the Greater Lowell Community Foundation works with donors to achieve their philanthropic goals,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “The Foundation facilitates almost 300 scholarship programs, and in this case, we worked with Dave and the Aldrich Family Charitable Foundation to create a more nontraditional scholarship fund to give students a second chance at higher education or an accredited career training program.”
Jump Start awards larger scholarships twice a year and allows recipients to re-apply each time the application process opens. As with many GLCF scholarship programs, Jump Start’s founders manage their own awards process, Aradhya explained. Hoey and Aldrich are responsible for community outreach to promote applications, and a committee reviews applicant submissions and facilitates the selection process.
“GLCF advises them on best practices and provides advice on how to run a successful scholarship program,” said Aradhya. “But Dave and Ronnie do the heavy lift on Jump Start.”
Probably the most unique aspect about the Jump Start Scholarship Program is that it focuses on students who have had a tough time launching into adulthood, said Aldrich. “Many young adults need assistance until they can become more self-sufficient and get on their feet,” he said.
“Often these students experienced various forms of trauma when they ventured off the traditional path of finishing high school and going right on to college. With Jump Start, we look for folks who have had the experience of lifting themselves up, of overcoming challenges, and who want to find a good job or finish their educations,” he said.
“It’s actually part of the Jump Start application process for students to identify the experiences and trauma that have led them to apply,” added Hoey.
Jump Start is an outgrowth of Project Kompass, the North Chelmsford women’s transitional-housing nonprofit Aldrich and Hoey founded in January 2020. Hoey serves as executive director of Project Kompass and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the residential program.
“Project Kompass welcomes young women who want to work or continue their education, and pay it forward,” said Aldrich, founder and prior CEO and chairman of the board of Skyworks Solutions Inc. He also serves as board chairman of Project Kompass.
However, as Hoey and Aldrich got Project Kompass up and running, they realized their targeted cohort was experiencing yet another gap in support services. “We learned that some of our residents were having trouble accessing the direct financial assistance they needed to continue their educations,” Hoey said.
So, Aldrich and Hoey – who have known each other and worked together in the high-tech industry for 35 years – set up the Jump Start Scholarship Program through GLCF.
For 18-year-old Raya Simpson, of Wilmington – one of the 21 communities GLCF serves – receiving a Jump Start Scholarship has relieved financial pressures. “I’ve been concerned about money and how to pursue further education,” said Simpson, who plans to study animation at Georgia’s Savannah College of Art & Design in the fall.
“I live with my single dad who works tirelessly to help me achieve my dreams, but money is a real concern. Figuring out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and loans and what we can pay has been hectic. This scholarship alleviates the pressure of facing tuition bills.”
“Jump Start applicants don’t have to have a high school diploma,” stressed Aldrich. “And it’s a very easy application process, not some long, multi-page application. “Thus far, we have helped almost 20 hard-working students – men and women — attend vocational schools, trade schools, art schools, beauty academies,” he said. “It’s quite varied, and that’s the point.”
The fall Jump Start Scholarship application opens October 1, for details and to apply visit: https://glcfoundation.info/3yX3y0o.
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities to create a fund and establish a significant and lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about these empowering opportunities at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan at 978-970-1600, email info@glcfoundation.org or visit: www.glcfoundation.org
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation –Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $65 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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CAPTION:
From left: Longtime friends Dave Aldrich and Ronnie Hoey spending time with former residents of Project Kompass. The Aldrich Family Charitable Foundation with support from Project Kompass established the Jump Start Scholarship via GLCF and has awarded a total of $44,000 to 17 individuals to date.
Karamanolis Bequest Funds Greater Lowell Technical High School and LHS Greek Heritage Scholarship
Lowell, MA – The Demetrios P. Karamanolis Scholarship Fund, recently established through a generous six-figure bequest administered by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, commemorates the life of Demetrios Karamanolis who immigrated to America in 1960, married his wife Sofia Masias and together they raised their daughter, Maria. He forged a path “from factories to labs where his precise, detail-oriented mind and expert dexterity served him well,” recalled Maria Kontoulis Recco, his niece and a retired laboratory scientist.
In 1969, Demetrios, affectionately known as “Jimmy,” brought his family — including his mother, three siblings, their spouses, and their 11 children — from Greece to Lowell. He emphasized to the children the importance of education, hard work, and opportunities not as readily available in their family’s agricultural life in Greece, where they harvested olives, figs, and grapes. All the children went on to become college graduates or successful business owners.
Despite his modest stature, Jimmy was renowned for his quick wit, keen intellect, appreciation for beauty and craftsmanship, and passion for antique collecting and gardening. He was also celebrated for his generosity and community spirit, exemplified by an additional bequest to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Dracut to aid in paying its mortgage.
Recco shared the words of encouragement or wisdom might Jimmy share with the scholarship recipient receiving his award, “Remember your family and your roots, work hard and give back to society.”
Jimmy was a lifelong learner who cherished his Greek American community and valued education, though he never had the opportunity to pursue further studies himself. This scholarship fund honors his commitment to supporting education, preserving cultural heritage, and acknowledging academic achievement. His legacy, and the enduring impact of his values, lives on through the Demetrios P. Karamanolis Scholarship Fund, connecting us all in a shared legacy.
“GLCF is honored to be able to facilitate the Demetrios P. Karamanolis Scholarship Fund,” shared Jay Linnehan, GLCF President and CEO. “Connecting donors to community causes they care about or ways to honor their loved ones is at the heart of our work.”
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities for you to create a fund and establish a lasting charitable legacy. To learn more about these empowering opportunities at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship, contact Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation –Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $65 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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CAPTION: Photo of Demetrios “Jimmy” Karamanolis. The Demetrios P. Karamanolis Scholarship Fund, recently established through a generous six-figure bequest administered by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, commemorates the life of Demetrios Karamanolis.
The Dolan and Regan Family Legacies Pay It Forward for Local Students
Lowell, MA – Since 2007, the Dolan and Regan Families have been involved with the Lowell High School Scholarship Program with The Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship Fund and The Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund. Collectively they have given out over $13,000 in scholarships to 26 students through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF.)
The scholarship program is made possible by a partnership between Lowell High School and the Greater Lowell Community Foundation. Scholarships are provided through the generous contributions of donors, many of whom are Lowell High School graduates themselves, families honoring a loved one, or local business leaders supporting their community.
The Dolan Family has presented their scholarship since 2007, and the Regan family has presented their scholarship since 2017. Joe and Kathy Regan have also served with GLCF as scholarship application reviewers for the Lowell High Scholarship program for eight years.
The Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship was established for a nursing student at a four-year college. Wanting to meaningfully honor their mother’s life and career as a nurse, the Dolan Family—eight siblings and their spouses—came together to create her lasting tribute in 2007.
Daughter Mary Dolan Regan ‘77, said her ‘Mother would be happy to be honored in this way. She would be grateful that someone was getting a chance to get an education and this scholarship is helpful.’
Committed to her community through family, faith, friends and work and a lifelong resident of Lowell’s Centralville neighborhood, Alice, was a graduate of Lowell High (1940) and the St. John’s Nursing School (1943.) She spent her career as a Registered Nurse at the Beaconcrest Chronic Hospital in Lowell alongside dear friend and nurse Claire Murphy. Claire and Dan Murphy and Alice and her husband James were inseparable friends. After James died in 1962 and Claire’s passing in 1989, Alice and Dan found companionship, love and marriage with each other later in life.
‘My mother was all about putting the needs of others first. Being there for her family and friends no matter what,’ said son Jack Dolan, who worked as the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer at Lowell High when then Head of School Bill Samaras was ‘coordinating’ the nascent LHS scholarship program of $75,000 now valued at $7 million.
The Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed for students pursuing STEM-related studies in science, math and/or technology. Joe graduated in 1939 from Lowell High and earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Boston College in 1942. He was a U.S. Navy World War II veteran serving four years in the South Pacific. He started teaching Math and Latin at Keith Academy (1946-1952), followed by a 30-year career at Lowell High School as a mentor, math teacher, Floor Master and Dean of Faculty from 1952 to 1981, when his life was cut short by lung cancer.
‘My dad was very humble, open-minded, and eschewed fanfare. When it came to his students, he would go the extra mile to support and encourage them through their challenges with the caveat that they had to show up for class,’ said daughter Kathy Regan ’76.
Kathy noted her dad would be humbled by this scholarship and would advise awardees to – ‘Use it wisely. Put it to good use.’
Dottie Naruszewicz Flanagan ’59, an officer of the Math Club, had Mr. Regan as an advisor as well as a teacher. ‘What a super, wonderful guy. Gentle and kind. He had the interest of the kids at heart.’
‘Keeping the memory of our father alive by this scholarship is rewarding to see all the bright, promising recipients on LHS Scholarship Night. It really renews our faith in the community and the world!’ said son Joe Regan ’74 and husband of Mary Dolan Regan.
The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) provides opportunities to create a fund to establish your own charitable legacy. To learn more about funds at GLCF, contact Jay Linnehan or to learn more about creating your own LHS Legacy Scholarship contact Barbara Dunsford at 978-970-1600 or info@glcfoundation.org.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation –Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 450 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of nearly $65 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $40 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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PHOTO 1: Photo of Alice Dolan Murphy, RN. The Alice Dolan Murphy Scholarship was established through GLCF for a Lowell High School student pursuing a nursing degree at a four-year college.
PHOTO 2: Photo of Kathleen and Joseph Regan from the LHS Girl Officers Ball. The Joseph M. Regan Memorial Scholarship Fund is designed for students pursuing STEM-related studies in science, math and/or technology.
214 college-bound students receive scholarships through the Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Lowell, MA – Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces $611,751 in scholarships to 214 high school seniors at Lowell High School to help cover the rising costs of post-secondary education.
Since its founding 26 years ago, the Foundation’s scholarship program has supported more than 3,300 students with $5.4 million in scholarships, thanks to the generosity of donors who have set up funds to invest in young people’s continuing education.
“I want to sincerely thank our donors, as well as our volunteers, for investing in education,” said Jay Linnehan, GLCF’s President and CEO. “They donated their time and money for the promise of the next generation – it is philanthropy at its best!”
Of those awarded, 64% of recipients plan to attend college in Massachusetts, with 36% staying in Middlesex County. The top five schools include UMass Lowell, Middlesex Community College, UMass Amherst, Boston University and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Scholarships include new awards as well as multi-year awards, as some of the Foundation’s scholarship funds provide student support throughout their college journey.
The scholarships were awarded to students representing a variety of identities, interests, and accomplishments. A new scholarship awarded at this year’s Lowell High School Honors Night was the Michael J. Netishen Scholarship Fund, established by Netishen’s family to provide annual Lowell High School scholarships to students who play sports and have financial need.
Foundation staff and 83 volunteers selected the Lowell High School scholarship recipients based on merit, financial need, and specific criteria established by each of the 369 individual scholarship funds. High school seniors can submit one application and be considered for multiple scholarship opportunities through the Foundation’s online application, which will open again in January 2024.
For more information on establishing a scholarship at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, visit www.glcfoundation.org or call 978-970-1600.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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PHOTO CAPTION: A new scholarship awarded at this year’s Lowell High School Honors Night was the Michael J. Netishen Scholarship Fund established by Netishen’s family to provide annual Lowell High School scholarship to students who play sports and have financial need. From left to right: Maribeth Awiszus, Janet Netishen, Ellen Netishen with 2023 Scholarship Recipient Jarlen Arango.
Greater Lowell Community Foundation Announces New Jump Start Scholarship
Lowell, MA – The Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is honored to announce the establishment of the JUMP START Scholarship Fund by the Aldrich Family Foundation in conjunction with Project Kompass, a nonprofit based in North Chelmsford. This scholarship provides funding to students who have had some challenges in their lives and who desire a brighter future by continuing their education through an accredited vocational training program, community college, or four-year college/university. The bi-annual scholarship provides $2,500 scholarships to students who are aged 18+ from Lowell or Lawrence (and surrounding communities.)
“Sometimes it takes a little support and encouragement to achieve one’s goals in life,” said David Aldrich, Trustee, Aldrich Family Foundation. “Towards that end, the JUMP START Scholarship fund is designed to provide financial resources to those individuals who may have experienced adversities in their lives and wish to pursue a dream through education and training. Our scholarships are open to vocational and/or technical training programs in addition to community colleges and universities.”
“By giving students the resources they need, donors are giving them more control of their situation, goals, and their entire future,” said Jennifer Aradhya, GLCF’s Vice President of Marketing, Programs & Strategy. “The JUMP START scholarship is unique in that past academic excellence is not a requirement. Rather, the focus is on potential and passion. I commend the Aldrich Family Foundation for providing this opportunity and managing the selection process. GLCF is proud to partner and manage their fund and distributions.”
Donations to any fund at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation, including the JUMP START Scholarship Fund, can be made online at www.glcfoundation.org/donate or by mail to the JUMP START Scholarship Fund c/o GLCF, 100 Merrimack Street, Suite 202, Lowell, MA 01852.
The JUMP START Scholarship application for fall opens October 2. For more information on this scholarship, please contact Dave Aldrich by email: Dave.aldrich98@gmail.com.
Scholarships play a significant role in helping GLCF achieve its mission to improve the quality of life for the Greater Lowell community. For more information, call 978-970-1600 to learn how the community foundation can help a donor establish a scholarship fund.
For more information on the Greater Lowell Community Foundation please visit www.glcfoundation.org.
About Greater Lowell Community Foundation
Established in 1997, the Greater Lowell Community Foundation (GLCF) is a philanthropic organization comprised of more than 400 funds dedicated to improving the quality of life in 21 neighboring cities and towns. With financial assets of almost $60 million, GLCF annually awards grants and scholarships to hundreds of worthy nonprofits and students. It is powered by the winning combination of donor-directed giving, personal attention from Foundation staff, and an in-depth understanding of local needs. The generosity of our donors has enabled the Community Foundation to award more than $35 million to the Greater Lowell community.
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PHOTO CAPTION: Greater Lowell Community Foundation announces the establishment of the JUMP START Scholarship Fund by the Aldrich Family Foundation.
