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Eden Housing Awards $100,000 in Scholarship Funds to 29 Students Throughout California

September 8, 2022

— Organization celebrates 30th annual Howard T. Collins Memorial Scholarship; over $950,000 donated to deserving students since program’s inception —

HAYWARD, California – (September 8, 2022) – Eden Housing, a leading affordable housing nonprofit, announced today it is awarding a total of $100,000 to 29 students who reside on a property managed by the organization to assist as they attend university in the fall. This marks the organization’s 30th year anniversary of the Howard T. Collins Memorial Scholarship, which has provided over $950,000 to more than 575 students since its inception.

“This is one of our team’s favorite times of the year when we have the opportunity to inspire and support our resident scholars who are often the first generation in their family to attend college or vocational school,” said Linda Mandolini, president of Eden Housing. “These students underwent a very competitive application process and were chosen based on their high academic achievements and future goals. We are so proud of these students and look forward to hearing about their accomplishments in the future.”  

California counties represented include Alameda, Los Angeles, San Benito, San Diego, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Sonoma and Yolo. Students will attend schools that include San Jose State, Stanford, University of Arizona, U.C. Berkeley, U.C. Santa Barbara, U.C. San Diego, U.C. Riverside and many others.

“This scholarship will help fulfill my lifelong dream of attending college,” says Diana Pinzon, who resides in Livermore, California, and is now attending Samuel Merritt University “To me it represents one more way Eden helps support its residents through all facets of their lives. The ability to grow up in safe, comfortable housing gave me the confidence and ability to focus on school and my grades, rather than worrying about my family’s wellbeing. I look forward to the future mark I can make on my community, thanks to this generous support.”

The scholarship event will be live-streamed on Eden Housing’s YouTube channel on September 9 at 11 a.m. Presenting and congratulating the awardees will be local, state and federal officials, and community leaders.

The scholarship program was created to honor Howard T. Collins, a former dedicated member of the Eden Housing board of directors who believed in education and opportunity for all.

The program awards scholarships to individuals who are current residents of a property managed by Eden Housing and who are enrolled in a course of study and are pursuing their educational, academic and/or career advancement and vocational goals.

ABOUT EDEN HOUSING

Eden Housing is a non-profit organization with more than 50 years of experience providing safe and affordable housing that helps families stay secure, allows communities to thrive, and solves many of the most pressing housing challenges facing California cities. Since its inception, the Bay Area-based organization has developed more than 10,000 affordable homes and is a leader in making its residential communities environmentally sustainable and efficient through integrating energy conservation. Eden is also known as a champion of housing policy advocacy at the local, state, and national level, supporting practices that both create and preserve affordable housing for diverse communities. Learn more at: www.edenhousing.org.


Media Contact:

Birgit Johnston
Johnston Communications for Eden Housing
(408) 656 8025, birgitjohnston@me.com