Medgar Evers College’s Transition Academy receives major grant through Gerstner Philanthropies
BROOKLYN, NY — Aiming to aid Medgar Evers College in its ongoing mission to serve students at all levels, the Louis V. Gerstner Jr. Fund through the Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program has awarded a $255,000 grant to the college’s Transition Academy through Gerstner Philanthropies’ Helping Hands Emergency Grant Program.
The Transition Academy was established to support students experiencing homelessness or issues of housing and food insecurity.
The Helping Hands grant is available for a term of 16 months starting in August 2024.
“This incredible support from the Gerstner Philanthropies will allow us to meet student needs outside of the classroom,” said Dr. Jesse Kane, the senior vice president for student success and enrollment management at the college. “As we all know, what happens off campus has a great impact on what can be accomplished on it. At Medgar Evers College, we see every student as an individual and want to help them achieve their dreams however we can.
“The generous grant will allow us to identify student needs and offer options that can sincerely change the course of someone’s life.”
The grant came to fruition due to the standout work from Dr. Waleek Boone, the director of the Transition Academy at Medgar Evers College, and his team of volunteers, interns and students.
After observing Dr. Boone speak at a recent event, he was encouraged to submit a proposal by representatives from Gerstner Philanthropies, with the organization wanting to aid Dr. Boone’s mission to help students in need.
“Working with our community, whether that’s helping find someone housing or making sure that they have a nutritious meal, is fulfilling,” said Dr. Boone. “And when you meet organizations that want to help the cause and are willing to invest in a vision, that’s incredibly rewarding — and humbling.
“What we will be able to do with this money is to help lower anxiety, keep our students safer and ultimately provide an inclusive environment where we can make progress toward being a community that lifts each other up in every facet of life.”
The one-time grants will be intended to aid students experiencing short-term, unforeseen emergencies, with a maximum award of $3,000.
Examples of those emergencies are sudden homelessness or threat of eviction, medical emergency, natural disaster (e.g., fire, flood), domestic violence, loss of employment or other income source, or theft.
The funds can be used for expenses such as rent, utilities, furniture, medical expenses, transportation (one-time or short-term) or child care (one-time or short-term).
Each student is eligible to apply for no more than one grant in an academic year.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Transition Academy at Medgar Evers College to ensure students get critical support in moments of crisis so they can continue their education without interruption,” said Alice Goh, Program Director at Gerstner Philanthropies.