As students settle into a new school year, many families in our community are still facing significant financial and personal challenges. In this final week of our Back-to-School Campaign, we want to share the story of someone who walks closely alongside these families every day: Tarjelia, our Scholarship Program Coordinator.
Tarjelia was born and raised in this community, and today two of her own children attend the Mission School. Because she knows firsthand the challenges many families face, she approaches her work with deep compassion and understanding.
Tarjelia has served as our Scholarship Program Coordinator for nearly four years, bringing deep cultural understanding, compassion, kindness, and incredible organization to her work with students and families.
Her role touches nearly every part of our scholarship program. She visits the homes of students recommended for assistance, coordinates the distribution of uniforms and school supplies, organizes monthly food distributions, participates in parent and staff meetings, and often serves as a listening ear for families navigating difficult circumstances.
In the past month alone, Tarjelia has:
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Distributed more than 600 books to students in our scholarship program
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Organized uniforms for over 130 students
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Met personally with more than 40 families
But behind every number is a child beginning the school year with the supplies they need, a parent feeling supported, or a family reminded that they are not alone.
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- At the beginning of each school year, every student in our Scholarship Plus Program receives the uniforms and school supplies they need to start the year prepared and supported.
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- Tarjelia organizes school uniform shoes by size for distribution.
When asked why she loves working at the Mission School, Tarjelia shared:
“Many of our students come from very difficult circumstances, and I love that the Mission School is a place where they can feel supported and valued. Education can completely change a child’s future, and it means so much to be part of a community that walks alongside families with so much care.”
People like Tarjelia remind us that education is about much more than academics, it is about helping children feel safe, supported, and hopeful about their future. In this final week of our Back-to-School Campaign, we invite you to help us continue creating that kind of community for every student who walks through our doors.
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