November 4, 2021 (Deer Park) – Nurses on Long Island and nationwide have been widely heralded as heroic frontline workers, providing crucial care and saving lives. Now deserving SUNY Nassau Community College nursing students are getting a helping hand themselves through United Way of Long Island’s DREAMS for Youth scholarship Program; dedicated to providing financial help for higher education.

Recognizing the pivotal role and demand for nurses, United Way provided ten ($1,000) scholarships to students in SUNY Nassau’s nursing program.

Nearly 150 students enrolled in the program for the 2020/2021 academic year. This multi-award program includes an Associate in Science degree from Nassau Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from SUNY Empire State College. The program is also recognized by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Scholarship recipients were selected based on academic performance and community service, as well as financial need.

The DREAMS (Determination. Realization. Enrichment. Academics. Mission. Service.) for Youth Scholarship seeks to help students pursue higher education. It benefits individuals and the region, by helping pave the way forward for each recipient.

“The DREAMS for Youth Scholarships are an integral part of our mission”, said United Way of Long Island President and CEO Theresa A. Regnante. “Nurses play such an important role in the quality of healthcare and we are happy to help advance their education as they embark on this essential profession.”

“Community Colleges are a critical access point to higher education and a bridge to fulfilling the dreams
of so many students,” said Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, President of SUNY Nassau Community College. “At a time when careers in health services are needed now more than ever, we are very thankful to United Way of Long Island for their scholarship contribution that will provide our SUNY Nassau nursing students with the opportunity to advance their academic journeys”.

SUNY Nassau Community College is New York State University’s (SUNY) largest single campus community college, making it a crucial source of education and advancement in many professions, including nursing. All those selected for the nursing scholarship are excelling in their studies and many balance their education with multiple other demands on their life.

“Being a mother and going to school has presented challenges that I did not even take into consideration, like finding childcare,” said Latoya Washington, a scholarship recipient. “With this DREAMS Scholarship, I can allocate resources to lowering the costs of college.” She said that the scholarship can let her “focus more on my studies” as it leads to “less of a financial burden.”

For the 2021/2022 academic year, United Way of Long Island awarded 59 Scholarships to students from Nassau and Suffolk Counties. For more information about the United Way’s Scholarship programs, visit www.unitedwayli.org/scholarships.

Photo Caption:
United Way of Long Island’s DREAMS for Youth Scholarship recipients are joined by executives from Nassau County Community College and United Way. (left to right) Professor Kathleen Thelian, Nursing Dept, Nassau Community College; Patricia Rivers, Community Impact Program Director, United Way of Long Island; Dr. Jermaine F. Williams, President, Nassau Community College; Anne Lackner, Scholarship recipient; Latoya Washington, Scholarship recipient with her daughter Avaya; Heidi Abrego, Scholarship recipient; Craig Fligstein, Chief Grants Officer, United Way of Long Island; Professor Bridget Nicholas, Nursing Dept, Nassau Community College; Colleen Langon, Scholarship Coordinator, Nassau Community College; and Adrian Kerrigan, Vice President, Institutional Advancement, Nassau Community College.

About United Way of Long Island
United Way fights for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.  LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change.  United Way of Long Island is part of a worldwide network spanning across 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. For more information about United Way of Long Island, follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.