2022 Annual Report
Daniel Harris Co Founder/Director I grew up in a broken home. My father spent most of his adult life in and out of jail and was an abusive alcoholic until he died. My mother struggled to provide a stable life for my half sisters and I Eventually, when my mother went to prison for credit card fraud, I was placed in foster care Between the ages of 12 19, I bounced between seven foster homes, two group homes, three middle schools, and three high schools. With all of these transitions and changes, my academics were not high on my priority list My high school GPA was a 2 2, I was ranked 93rd out of my 120 graduating class. Because of this, scholarships were not an option for me.
After graduating from college, I worked for social services, giving back to the system I grew up in, while I worked on my masters degree After finishing my graduate program, I transitioned to a career in higher education Along that journey, I was lucky enough to meet my wife, our co founder Katie Steinhardt Harris, an educator Fast forward to the Spring of 2021, we decided to take action on this idea that had been percolating for a number of years. As our first year comes to a close, we are proud of the steps we've taken. We have focused on fundraising, obtaining 501(c)(3) status, building relationships with foster care agencies and schools, and marketing our scholarship We know this is just the beginning We thank you for joining us on this journey and are excited to celebrate our first scholars!
After high school, I set my sights on college I did not need to know the grave statistics that foster children face to feel the magnitude of this undertaking However, I believed I could do it and and was fortunate enough to have a support system to lean on. I had people in my corner who would be there to help me up if a stumbled. Coach Williams and Catherine did not allow me to fail. Even when it looked like my plans were going to be derailed, they provided tough love, support, guidance, and the consistency that I did not have while in care This endured not just as I transitioned out of care, but even to this day Unfortunately, this is not the norm for those in care The majority of foster youth are not lucky enough to have this unwavering support. This, right here, is the inspiration for Winston Rhea Scholars.
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400,000 children are in foster care each year. At one time, the founder of Winston Rhea Scholars, was in that number. Daniel Harris is part of the less than 1% who earned an advanced degree. Daniel’s nature and determination no doubt contributed to this accomplishment but Winston Rhea is named for the two people, Catherine Rhea and Winston Williams, who were Daniel’s “safety net” that enabled him to take a chance on himself. Our organization aims to extend this “safety net” to former foster care youths through mentorship and monetary support without the barrier of a minimum GPA requirement. Winston Rhea Scholarship funds can also be used towards trade programs because success is not monolithic. Most importantly, Foster care may be a part of our past, but it does not define our future. Why females age out are pregnant by age 21 60% of males who age out serve time in jail before age 25
2022 Winston
Te’Andre is a recent graduate of Woodruff High School and will be attending Erskine College in the Fall where he will also be playing basketball. He plans to major in Sports Management, with hopes to one day be a sports agent, then a high school athletic director In his scholarship application essay, Te’Andre wrote, “These last two years of my life have been a whirlwind of adjustment, forgiveness, and acceptance. I went from barely passing classes to having a 3.34 GPA. I played football, basketball, and even lacrosse during my junior year of high school. She (his adoptive mother) pushes me to be a better me and I found the courage that I thought was hidden in the past. I stretched my arms out wide and dared to do things that I never thought the past Te’Andre could or would do.”
Te'Andre Bivings-Woodruff
Jenifer resides in Charleston, SC and is a 2020 graduate of Charleston Acceleration Academy. Upon graduation from high school, Jenifer was accepted at El Paso Community College, El Paso, TX; she attended college online. Jenifer graduated from EPCC in May 2022. She has earned a 3.5 GPA and made the Dean's List Outside of her academic achievements, Jenifer has volunteered with the Charleston Resource Center, a program that provides food for the needy in her community. She has also made herself available to assist those in need of translation services, as Spanish is her first language. Jenifer has been accepted at American Military University and the University of Texas El Paso. She plans to continue her studies with American Military University online. She is grateful to her foster and biological families for their love and support as she continues to learn, grow, and contribute to our global community
Jenifer Vivanco-Mora
Rhea Scholars
$3700 Total raised in cash and in kind donations $1050 Cost to become federal and state compliant for 501(c)3 status 28 Total Donors 100% Board of Directors have donated to scholarship fund. $324 Cost for annual administrative cost $350 Cost for administrative upstart cost $2200 Aid Awarded 2021 Financials Thank You To Our Donors Anonymous Rowan Bienes Rachel Brown Leland Buzhardt Amy Cue Kayla DeLaughter Jen Fry Daniel Harris Lindsey Hesketh Julie Hood Andrew Kepper Kim Kolarkik Sonny Lee Emily McCrory Kelly Messier Catherine Rhea Gordon Rhea Emma Rhodes Katie Steinhardt Harris Ed Steinhardt Shari Steinhardt Ericka Stevens Derek Toth John Warner Emily Weidow Elliott Weidow Winston Williams Melissa Williams
2022 Board of Directors Katie Steinhardt Harris Co Founder/Secretary Catherine Rhea Winston Williams Derek Toth What's Next? Secure additional funding to continue support of current scholars, and add two new scholars for 2023 Explore corporate sponsorship and grants. Join the Greater New Orleans Foundation Take part in GiveNOLA Day Assist with internship opportunities to current scholars in the career field of their choice Expand scholar applicant pool Triple the amount raised in 2021-2022 In the coming year, we hope to... What's Next?
www.winstonrhea.org Foster care may be a part of our past, but it does not define our future. Donate Sponsorship Like/Share our content on social media Fundraise Utilize Our Amazon Smile Spread the word! How to Support: Winston Rhea Scholars is a recognized 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Federal ID Number: 87 1847579 PO Box 850601 New Orleans, LA 70185
