Kelly Few, LMHA resident and 2007 Scholarship and Mabel Wiggins Award recipient, encouraged fellow residents and thanked LMHA staff during the scholarship ceremony

LOUISVILLE KY – The Louisville Metro Housing Authority will award 16 public housing and Section 8 residents with $23,250 worth of college scholarships at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 19, 2007 at the Mabel Wiggins Family Investment Center, 1411 Algonquin Parkway.

"In this community we believe that public housing can and should be a stepping stone to building a better life and a better community,” Mayor Jerry Abramson said. "We've made a commitment in Louisville to revamp our public housing system and we want to reward our young residents who are breaking the cycle of poverty and are succeeding despite some extraordinary odds."

During the past 21 years, the LMHA scholarship program has awarded 336 scholarships worth more than $1 million to residents of public and assisted housing. The Louisville Housing Assistance Corporation (LHAC), a LMHA affiliate, funds the program.

To receive a scholarship, each student must have successfully completed an application, prepared an essay and completed an extensive interview process. Each recipient must also have a high school diploma or completed a GED program, maintain a 2.0 or better GPA and plan to attend school full time at an accredited college or vocational training program.

"We are proud of these students, and happy to provide the financial assistance needed to pursue their dreams,” said Tim Barry, LMHA Executive Director. “Education is the first step in achieving their goals."