Members of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Financial traveled throughout Broward, Dade and Palm Beach County today to give out over $150,000 in grants and scholarships as part of the Sun Life Rising Stars Program.
As part of the Sun Life Rising Stars Program, which is the education cornerstone program of the Miami Dolphins Foundation in 2010, each nonprofit organization received a $50,000 grant along with training, materials, and the curriculum infrastructure necessary to develop and provide financial education for the youth in its program. Additionally, each student received a $5,000 scholarship to help finance a post-secondary education.
The day started off in Dade County with members of the Miami Dolphins, including Jeanette Sparano, Rachel Ireland, wide receivers Davone Bess and Roberto Wallace, guard Cory Procter and members from Sun Life Financial surprised Warren Charles Coley from Miami Jackson Senior High School with a $5,000 scholarship. Coley, was nominated for his scholarship, by award winner College Summit, a national nonprofit organization that partners with schools and districts to strengthen college-going culture and increase college enrollment rates, so that all students graduate career- and college-ready.
The organization then traveled to Palm Beach County, where student Miranda Stackhouse was surprised with a scholarship. Safety Jason Allen and running back Patrick Cobbs were on hand with to present Stackhouse, who was nominated for her scholarship by award winner. Urban Youth Impact. The organization has worked to love, equip, and empower inner-city youth and families since 1997. In 2008, UYI launched The Leadership Academy (TLA), the only comprehensive, faith-based youth development program in its community.
The day finished with a trip to Ft. Lauderdale, where CEO Mike Dee, wide receiver Brian Hartline and linebacker Quentin Moses took part in a special scholarship presentation for LaGary Roberson. The student was nominated by HANDY, Inc. an award-winning nonprofit organization founded in 1985 to meet the fundamental needs of Broward County’s foster care children and those who have been placed in the care of non-relative and relative caregivers under protective supervision. HANDY’s programs provide children with safety and well-being, education, social and recreational activities, and advocates to give these children a voice.
“It was just a blessing to come out here today and interact with the people in the community,” said Moses. “It was great to see people that are successful that work hard and achieve goals are rewarded with programs like this. It was wonderful to be a part of these events today.”