Horizon partnership builds scholars for the future
FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Fort Wayne, Ind.-The partnership between Youth for Christ's Primetime ministries and Huntington University has given several Fort Wayne students the opportunity to advance their studies through the Horizon Leadership Program. "Many of these students are first-generation students who would most likely not have a chance to attend a fine Christian university like Huntington. The Horizon scholarship provides them that opportunity, and it also benefits the Fort Wayne community and Youth for Christ as they volunteer and help tutor other students at our Primetime Center," said Larry Lance, executive director of the Youth for Christ's Primetime ministries. "We also believe these students will be a tremendous asset to our community once they graduate and come back to serve in their professions and give back to Youth for Christ."
Launched in 2008, the Horizon Leadership Program is a collaborative effort between Youth for Christ/USA and Huntington University and is designed to attract and retain students of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds by providing educational, leadership and creative outlets. The Horizon Leader Scholarship covers fees associated with tuition and housing costs up to 10 semesters through a combination of federal, state and institutional aid.
Of the eighteen students who have received this scholarship in the program's history, nearly half have been involved in the Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ ministries as either peer tutors or program participants. The Horizon program is designed to integrate participating students into an existing fabric of university life and Youth for Christ ministry through community service, academic success, professional/leadership development, spiritual growth and social involvement.
"The Horizon Leadership Program benefits its participants by providing an opportunity for them to achieve their maximum potential as a Christian, student and leader without having to focus on the burden of fees associated with housing and tuition," said Arthur Wilson, director of urban scholarship and mentoring for the Horizon Leadership Program at Huntington University. "Each Horizon student is privileged to be considered a pioneer in a kingdom-inspired agenda that will provide opportunities for many generations of ethnic minority students who dream of a college education at a private Christian university for years to come."
The 2010 recipients of the Horizon award from Fort Wayne, Ind., are:
Karina Palma, South Side High School
Isaiah Stephenson, North Side High School
"Horizon is more than just a scholarship. The program also helps students to grow spiritually, attain academic success, strengthen leadership skills, unlock professional potential and engage fully in the social life of our campus," said Huntington University President G. Blair Dowden. "Ghandi once said, 'Be the change you want to see in the world.' I think that captures the essence of what our Horizon scholars are doing here in Fort Wayne. They are being the change they want to see in the world."
Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ ministries have been serving the greater Fort Wayne area for more than 60 years. YFC programs include Campus Life high school and middle school programs, Juvenile Justice Ministries with students incarcerated or on probation by the courts, and Primetime/Urban ministries located at our Calhoun Street center. The Fort Wayne Area Youth for Christ staff work with more than 9,000 students each year at 23 different ministry sites. For more information, visit www.fwayfc.org.
.png?w=472&h=472&fit=crop-center)