This summer Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington proudly provided students with the experience, education, and resources needed to pursue their higher education. Nine students were awarded scholarships to support their efforts in building a better future for themselves, their families, and the entire community. Supporting students both in our classrooms and into their next chapter is an important part of our mission to break down barriers to education and employment. These nine students came through Evergreen Goodwill’s Youth Aerospace and Youth Maritime programs, demonstrating their commitment to furthering their education and pursuing careers in engineering, education, aerospace, medicine, and more.

Kai Jones, a graduate of Evergreen Goodwill’s Youth Aerospace Program, is using his scholarship to study Biology and Chemistry at Western Washington University this fall. Kai wants to work in the development of new medications and therapies and was inspired by “Western Washington University’s commitment to innovation and excellence. After Western, I intend to work towards a Master’s degree while gaining extensive real-world lab experience,” Kai said.

Building more than airplanes

One of the most meaningful things students took away from their programs were the relationships they formed with their peers and instructors. Naoll Beku, a graduate of Evergreen Goodwill’s Youth Maritime Program, didn’t know anyone when she started. “It didn’t take long for us to build a really strong connection and we all exchanged information so we can keep in touch,” she said. Naoll will use her scholarship to begin a nursing degree at Seattle Central College in September. “Goodwill helped me understand different career paths and how I can match my interests and strengths with my goals… our teacher Will Smith helped everyone bond and made me look forward to coming in every day.”

Similarly, Mathar Sarr said enrolling in the Youth Aerospace Program “was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” He has long had an interest in aerospace and engineering, and Goodwill exposed him to different roles in these industries and how to pursue certain technical career paths. “My experience at Goodwill has been fantastic. The Youth Aerospace Program teaches you about so much more than just aerospace. Life skills, interview preparation, and what certifications and degrees I need for specific fields are all parts of the program.” Mathar called this scholarship “a lifeline. I need a powerful laptop to study engineering and textbooks are expensive so this support is a major relief.”

Community Impact

As a nonprofit, social enterprise, Evergreen Goodwill’s Youth Programs and scholarship awards capture the heart of our mission to provide Northwest Washington communities with free job training and education and support services. The holistic approach to supporting our students ensures that they have the resources to access and attend classes, provides a comprehensive introduction to in-demand industries, and continues supporting them as they move on from Goodwill into their next chapter.

With these scholarship awards, we can’t wait to see all that these students achieve and where their journeys take them. We’re grateful for the time they shared with us and look forward to our next youth cohorts and scholarship awardees.

Click to learn about all our Youth Programs