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
###
--
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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