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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

NEWS - COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF UTAH ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF INMATES


COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF UTAH ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP FOR CHILDREN OF INMATES

?Willy the Plumber Scholarship? started by Former Inmate  

Contacts: 
Fraser Nelson, Community Foundation of Utah
(801) 559-3005

Karl ?Willy? Wisness
                                                                                                                
September 4, 2012?The Community Foundation of Utah has partnered with founder Karl ?Willy? Wisness to create a scholarship tailored to the needs of young adults who have lived with the challenge of having one or more parent ?inside?. The scholarship was founded so that children of incarcerated people know?ideally from when they are young?that there funds are available that can help them reach for higher education.

In his 17 years in the Utah Prison system, Mr. Wisness, now a successful plumber, had lots of time to think about the impact of his incarceration on his family. ?I didn?t think my daughters should be punished for my mistakes?, he said.  This sentiment likely reflects that of many inmates, who will be encouraged to make personal donations to the fund.

The Community Foundation and Winsness hope that the Scholarship is not only a way break the cycle of generational incarceration, but also as a way to give inmates an opportunity to participate. ?We believe this grant reaches a population not spoken about except with regards to negative statistics about following their parents into incarceration. This scholarship is about supporting kids in these circumstances through no fault of their own, in achieving a better life,? said Community Foundation Board Member Jeramy Lund.

The fund will award its first scholarships in 2013 with gifts of $1,000 (for two or four year colleges in Utah) and $500 (for skilled trade schools). To learn more, call the Community Foundation of Utah at (801) 559-3005

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Fraser Nelson
Executive Director
Community Foundation of Utah

office: 801.559.3005
mobile: 801.918.4216
fraser@utahcf.org
www.utahcf.org

6550 Millrock Drive, Suite 125
Salt Lake City, Utah 84121

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