Scholarship

$500 Awards Open to High School Seniors Who Are a Peer Volunteer With TIES

Heritage Christian Services is offering a scholarship opportunity to high school seniors who live in the Buffalo and Rochester regions and who have volunteered for Together Including Every Student (TIES) at their school. Two recipients will be selected to win $500 each.

About Heritage Christian Services

At Heritage Christian Services, people always come first. It’s what the founding parents insisted on, and it’s still the backbone of the culture more than 35 years later. Because of that dedication, the agency upholds the highest standards of care.

That’s why the agency has grown from one group home in 1984 to now partnering with thousands of people throughout Rochester and Buffalo to ensure everyone – including children and people with developmental disabilities – feels valued and respected. Most of the agency’s more than 3,000 employees work directly with people who have disabilities so they can find the best place to live and work and build strong community connections. Other employees work with children at Expressive Beginnings Child Care in Henrietta, Greece or Webster. Thanks to their dedication, HCS is recognized as one of New York’s top four service providers for people with disabilities, has earned national accreditation and won a prestigious local award for business ethics.

Information regarding TIES

TIES was developed in 1997 by two parents of children who have disabilities and promotes the participation of students and young adults who have developmental disabilities in inclusive, organized extracurricular and community activities through the support of trained student volunteers. Peer volunteers learn how to support participants according to their individual needs, gain more understanding of disabilities and diversity, and make a positive difference in a peer’s life.

TIES is a program of Starbridge, and is funded by the Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Regional Office and the Western NY Developmental Disabilities Regional Office.

Introduction to Human Services

Many people who start their careers in human services begin as a direct support staff. Direct support staff assist individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability to lead the kind of life that person wants. Sometimes that means finding a place of their own, a career that matters to them or a place where they can meet new friends. People working in direct support may also help with daily living activities and encourage community inclusion.

Scholarship Information:

Interested students should complete the application along with a 500-word essay and have a recommendation from their TIES coordinator.

Essay question:
Please answer the following question in about 500 words:

Describe an experience you have had while volunteering with TIES and discuss how it has influenced your view of people and community.

Due date:
Scholarship application and essay submission are due April 1, 2020. Please send all materials to: Theresa Buick at tbuick@heritagechristianservices.org or mail to: Heritage Christian Services, 275 Kenneth Drive, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14623.

Selection Process/Notification:

The scholarship winners will be selected and notified by May 1, 2020.

Employment

Heritage Christian Services is currently hiring direct support staff. All scholarship applicants will be guaranteed a job interview, if interested, by applying online at www.directsupport.org. Our agency also provides tuition reimbursement opportunities for college students.