Youth Bridge Presents First NWACC President’s Circle Scholarships | Community Spirit

Youth Bridge has presented its first North West Arkansas Community College President’s Circle Foundation Awards to Kylia Rector and Tori Mansel. The academic awards are for $1,000 each and can be used to pay tuition, books, and other related educational fees.

In January 2012, Youth Bridge was awarded $5,000 in scholarships by the NWACC Foundation President’s Circle in recognition for its leadership role in providing shelter, clinical and preventive care to troubled youth and their families.  The scholarship funds will be used to help Youth Bridge clients in the Transitional Living Program continue their education and quest for a better life.

In addition to receiving a scholarship, each student will also be assigned an NWACC peer mentor, as well as a faculty/staff advocate that will assist them throughout the matriculation of their degree.

When presenting the scholarship award to Youth Bridge, NWACC President Dr. Rebecca “Becky” Paneitz shared her hopes that the awards will open up a new educational opportunity to those who might not have imagined it possible to obtain a college education.

Youth Bridge Executive Director Scott Linebaugh said “This life changing collaboration between NWACC and Youth Bridge is but the first step in what we hope to be a long and successful educational program for Youth Bridge clients.”

Kylia Rector has been associated with Youth Bridge for over 5 years, first as a Transitional Living Program participant and now as an employee.  Kylia joined the Transitional Living Program in March 2007.  She had recently taken over the parenting of abandon new-born boy and was anxious to turn her life around and become a responsible adult. 

Today, Kylia serves as an Independent Living Coordinator for Youth Bridge and helps many of the clients who are facing the same challenges she faced a few years ago. Kylia has adopted her 5 year old son Weston and is in a stable relationship with Zach Sheates, who also works for Youth Bridge as a Youth Care Worker at the Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Springdale.

Kylia will start NWACC in the fall to earn an Associate in Science Degree and plans to transfer to a four-tear college to complete her education in medical stenography.

Tori Mansell has been associated with Youth Bridge and its Transition Living Program since December 2010.  She and her 21 month old daughter Trilby returned to Arkansas in 2010 and were very excited to be accepted into the Youth Bridge program.

Tori is working toward an Associate of Arts Degree in Education, with a focus in the pre-school to 4th grade track.  She plans to be a teacher and to help other children build a strong moral foundation that will help them make the right decisions as they grow up. Tori will use the $1,000 scholarship to help cover some of her costs for the fall 2012 semester.

“This scholarship is a real blessing and will help me to continue my dreams of becoming a teacher and helping young children,” said Tori.  “The staff at Youth Bridge has provided me with a safe and loving home environment where I can raise my daughter and know that I have friends ho truly care about my well being and happiness.”

For more information on Youth Bridge Programs and community services, please visit our web site at www.youthbridge.com.