Hillside, one of the largest child-and-family human services organizations in the United States, has been awarded a $15,000 Community Impact Grant from New York Life. The grant supports program operations for Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection (HWSC), a youth development program that has operated in Prince George’s County, Maryland, since 2007.
“We are grateful for New York Life’s investment in Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, which will change many lives for the better,” said Karene Brodie, HWSC Regional Executive Director. “This support from New York Life will strengthen our already impactful program that helps middle and high school students in Prince George’s County Public Schools realize their dreams of graduation, college and career.”
“I’m proud to work for a company that encourages its agents and employees to devote their time, energy and talents to support the needs and priorities of their local community,” said Kirk Blackman, an agent with New York Life’s Greater Washington General Office and current Chairman of the Prince George’s County HWSC Advisory Council. “We are pleased that our partnership will have a long-lasting impact on Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection and the population they serve.”
The Community Impact Grant program awards grants to local nonprofit organizations, which are championed by New York Life agents and employees. Since the program’s inception in 2008, approximately 700 grants totaling more than $9 million have been awarded to nonprofits across the country.
Founded in 1987, nationally recognized Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection provides comprehensive, highly coordinated assistance to participating youth who are determined to be at risk of dropping out of high school. HWSC uses an evidence-based model that combines long-term mentoring with job training, part-time work experience and year-round academic support. In 2020, 91 percent of Prince George’s County high school seniors who remained in the program since Grade 9 graduated on time.