Helping Financially Challenged Students Get to College

By Lenora Kruk-Mullanaphy

Students in Louisa, Orange and Spotsylvania counties with dreams of attending college can reach their goals through DREAMS4U. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization raises funds for students in financial need to attend an accredited Virginia institution for certificates and diplomas in two- and four-year programs. Majors funded through the program include science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and accounting and health care.

“DREAMS4U raises money through community fundraisers and donations,” says Lisa Johnson, president and founder of DREAMS4U. “These scholarships represent the community that believes in the young minds of tomorrow.”

Founded in 2018, DREAMS4U doesn’t have employees—it’s fully comprised of volunteers. According to Johnson, several scholarship recipients say they wouldn’t have been able to continue their education without the help of the organization. The gratitude of recipients who have faced financial challenges on their journey to get degrees is clear through videos on the DREAMS4U website.

“I created DREAMS4U as a passion of thankfulness for those individuals who contributed to my educational path, allowing me to attend college,” says Johnson. “I wouldn’t have gone to college without the help from financial aid and scholarships. It’s not bad or good to go or not to go to college, but I believe my path widened with the ability to go to college and complete my college degrees.”

Individuals will rest assured that 100 percent of their donations are funneled directly to scholarships Donating to DREAMS4U i easy through several methods, such as Amazon Smile, American Express points, Kohl’s fundraising gift cards and more. Fundraising events are scheduled throughout the year. The public can stay tuned for upcoming fun events, which will take place when it’s deemed safe regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic.

For more information about DREAMS4U, to view interview with recipients and what the scholarships mean to them, to find out ways to donate, to download an application and more, visit DREAMS4U.org, or email [email protected].