Linden, N.J., July 11, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Ammon Foundation and Mercer County Community College Foundation announced today a partnership that will provide scholarship funds to students in addiction recovery attending Mercer County Community College. Through the partnership, a total of $4,000 in scholarship funds will be available for students who have unmet needs to cover their tuition during the academic year 2018-2019.
The Ammon Foundation believes that in order for those in recovery to thrive, they must be supported by four pillars that include continued education, safe housing, stable employment and adequate healthcare. Ammon is dedicated to supporting recovery through education. To that end, they offer scholarship awards and build supportive networks to help students achieve personal and professional success.
The Foundation's mission is to empower individuals in addiction recovery through combating stigma and providing strategic support to enable personal success. The Ammon Education Award is designed as a matching scholarship opportunity for students attending Education Partner Institutions like Mercer County Community College. Currently, the Ammon Foundation has built Education Partnerships with 9 schools and plans to continue to grow the program throughout the year to expand its transformative impact to more students throughout the state.
Recipients of the scholarship become members of the Ammon Recovery Scholars Program - receiving personal, professional and academic support and joining a national network of peers who have also received scholarships through the Foundation. This allows for students in recovery all over the country to connect and support each other - virtually and in person. Together, Scholars’ personal recovery stories help combat the stigma connected to the disease of addiction, by humanizing addiction and showcasing that recovery is possible.
“When we set out to partner with community colleges, Mercer was at the top of our list. We are glad that they’ll be on board as a partner. I am glad to be bridging the Ammon Foundation and Mercer County Community College partnership,” said, Paula Figueroa-Vega, Director of Scholarship Programs at the Ammon Foundation. “Education changed my life, and it is my hope to open that door to as many other individuals as possible.”
Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College is a publicly-supported, comprehensive educational institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy, with campuses in West Windsor, the newly-expanded James Kerney Campus in downtown Trenton, and "anywhere, everywhere" through MercerOnline. Approximately 11,300 students enroll in one or more credit courses each year.
"Mercer serves a diverse population with numerous challenges, and it is our duty to adequately address those challenges in service to our community," said Ed Gwazda, Vice President for College Advancement and Executive Director and Secretary of the MCCC Foundation. "This innovative partnership with the Ammon Foundation will enable MCCC to expand its reach to the recovery community, which is so often overlooked in our society."
Mercer County Community College students should apply via an application available from the Counseling staff in Student Affairs.
About the Ammon Foundation
The Ammon Foundation launched in October 2016 as a philanthropic endeavor of Ammon Labs. Its mission is to provide strategic support to remove barriers for those in addiction recovery seeking to continue their education. Its headquarters in Linden, N.J. provides a place of hope for those that have suffered from addiction helping them to access, maintain and sustain long-term recovery through two core programs: Ammon Recovery Scholars and Empowerment Workshop Series. For more information about The Ammon Foundation visit www.ammonfoundation.org and for the latest news and updates follow The Ammon Foundation on: Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ammonfoundation), Twitter (@AmmonFoundation), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ammon-foundation/) and Instagram (@ammon_foundation).
About Mercer County Community College Foundation:
The MCCC Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) Corporation supporting the mission of Mercer County Community College and the community it serves. The Foundation assists the college and the advancement of public higher education by broadening the base of community and financial support. Through friend raising, advocacy and fundraising efforts, the MCCC Foundation nurtures educational opportunities benefiting the students of Mercer County Community College.