CSFP opened applications for its random K-8th grade scholarship lottery at a full-to-capacity event hosted by the Please Touch Museum this morning. Over 600 parents and children attended the event, set against the backdrop of the Museum’s historic Dentzel Carousel. This morning marked the opening of CSFP’s application season for the 2017-2018 school year, during which CSFP will award 2,000 new K-8th grade scholarships to children from low-income Philadelphia families.
CSFP staff, and Board members Evie McNiff and Sharmain Matlock-Turner, as well as Pennsylvania Representatives Jordan Harris and John Taylor, and a staff member from Speaker of the House Mike Turzai’s office, helped launch the new application season. Speakers commented on the uplifted spirits of the gathered parents and children, many of whom took the day off from work in order to be among the first to apply for CSFP scholarships. Representative Harris related to the crowd, commenting that his mother and grandmother “did everything they could to ensure that I had a quality education,” much like the parents there today.
Current CSFP parent Lateefah Lucky addressed the crowd and gave a heartfelt account of what it felt like to be told that she would be able to afford her daughter’s quality education because she was won the CSFP lottery. The good news came just at a time Lateefah needed it most: “I was in the car when I got the call telling me about the scholarship. I pulled over, answered the call, thanked the gentleman on the phone, then hung up and thanked God.” With the continued support of CSFP donors and friends, thousands more hopeful parents will receive a call like Lateefah’s in the coming months.
CSFP would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate hope and opportunity for Philadelphia children. Special thanks to the Please Touch Museum for their hospitality in hosting our event, and their dedication to securing quality educational experiences for all children. Pictures from the event are on our Facebook.
Applications to our lottery will remain open until March 1, 2017. Details.
You can make a private education possible for #PhillyKids this year! Help us provide quality, safe educational opportunities for thousands of Philadelphia students through scholarships.
