Pro-Life group ofering Bright scholarship

Scholarship to fnancially help pregnant women, parents |

In hopes of helping students who are parents or who are expecting a child while obtaining their degree, Pro-Life Javelinas is ofering a Bright Pregnant & Parenting Scholarship.

The organization strives to serve pregnant and parenting students attending Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) through pro-life activism, volunteer work and education on campus and around the community, according to the scholarship fyer posted on their Instagram.

Pro-Life Javelinas was founded in 2021 by Noelle Nguyen, Daniel Lerma and Bright Obi. However, Obi passed away before the organization and the plans were fnalized.

“Once Daniel and I learned that Bright had passed away while we were finalizing every- thing, we thought it was right to name it after him, honoring him and symbolizing that everyone’s future is bright no matter what they went through,”

Former Organization President Nguyen said.

This scholarship is to fnancially help parents with tuition, books, the child’s diapers, appointments, childcare or anything that may improve the quality of life for the parent and/or child.

In Spring 2022, the organization awarded three students, who were either pregnant or parenting, $650 each.

The organization also donated diapers, wipes and canned food items to the Javelina Care Closet.

“During my undergrad and grad programs, I had quite a few people in my classes that were pregnant and/or parenting. Many college students have food insecurities and fnancial instability, especially with cost of attendance, room and board,” Nguyen said.

“The other founding ofcers and I had these students in mind when we created the scholarship. Our world tells parents, especially mothers, that we cannot have a family while obtaining an education or working. The scholarship was created to encourage moms and dads that they can do both.”

This year, the number of scholarship recipients and the amounts awarded depend on the amount Pro-Life Javelinas fundraise each semester and the number of people who apply.

“We understand that being a student parent is difcult, but we want to help,” Organization President Zoe Garcia said. “We created this scholarship to lessen the fnancial burdens of being a student parent.” as the last day of operation will be the day before Thanksgiving. However, there is a limit on the number of items per week, so visits can be made until that limit is reached.

To apply for the scholarship, one must be a student at TAMUK who is either pregnant or a parent and enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours. If they have already had their child, the child must be living with them.

The full list of criteria is listed on the scholarship application, which can be found at https://forms.gle/ aeWAe5WRc1hZ1BhN7.

For more information on the scholarship, please contact @prolifejavelinas on Instagram.

“[Providing food to students is] important because during these holiday times, it can kind of hit you really hard emotionally and food can be that comfort to really have you remember home,” graduate supervisor for the Care

Closet Ashley Longoria said. “It’s less of a worry for them, so we’re hoping to ease those stresses, worries and have individuals feel a bit better during this time.” A simple application that takes about five minutes can determine eligibility. Applications are available at the Care Closet and there is no appointment necessary. The Care Closet is open every business day during the academic semesters. The pantry also has services for students to go to if they want to look for outside assistance like food stamps or health insurance so if they have any application situation, problems or questions they can come to us and get that info as well.

For more information, the Javelina Care Closet can be reached at (361) 593-3606 or go online at tamuk.edu