EVA GARZA DEWAELSCHE COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP

Eva Garza Dewaelsche is President and CEO of SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress, Inc., a non-profit workforce development organization established 53 years ago with operations in Detroit, Illinois, and Texas. She has been employed with SER Metro for nearly 40 years.

A lifelong Detroiter, Ms. Garza Dewaelsche has been actively involved for over 45 years in pursuit of her personal goal to help enhance the quality of life for Detroiters through her career and by serving on numerous boards and commissions. In 2014 she was recognized by President Barack Obama for her leadership at SER receiving the White House “Champion of Change Award”.

Eva is a graduate of Western High School in Southwest Detroit and has a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Wayne State University.  Eva and her husband Robert are proud residents of Detroit.

They recently acquired EL CENTRAL Hispanic News which is the oldest and largest bilingual newspaper in Michigan. They have two daughters, Lisa, who resides in New Orleans, Louisiana and Christina who lives in New Jersey with her husband and two children.

The Eva Garza Dewaelsche Leadership Scholarship has been established by Eva and her husband to give back to the community by supporting the academic and career goals of young Latinas with similar aspirations to improve the quality of life for people who live and work in this great city.

Award:

• Scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded for costs relating to educational expenses only (e.g., tuition, books, supplies, housing, etc.);
• Scholarship checks will be made payable to the recipient and university, community college, trade or vocational school or leadership program;
• Scholarships awards must be used during the 2025-2026 academic year;
• Prior recipients may reapply annually;
• Awards will depend on the availability of funds and demonstrated student financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement.

Eligibility:

• Women of Hispanic/Latina origin seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree in Social Sciences, Social Work, Community Organizing, Urban Planning, or a professional certificate of two or more years from a vocational school, training center or leadership program;
• Detroit Resident;
• Currently fulfilling high school graduation requirements or GED equivalent; or any student who has formally been admitted to, or is currently attending, a university, community college, or a leadership development program;
• Eligible applicants may also include MANA de Metro Detroit members, relative of members, and participants in the “Hermanitas” Program.

Requirements:

Each Application MUST be filled out completely and returned electronically by April 16, 2025. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Applicant must be in the fields described under Eligibility to apply for this scholarship.

The following documents must be attached to your application:

• Current academic transcripts and/or GED scores;
• Letter of acceptance from school or proof of registration;
• Letters of recommendation from two community representatives;
• One-to-two page essay talking about your past experiences, and plans for your future as they relate to your leadership goals and community involvement;
• If applicable, complete the Free Application of Federal Financial Student Aid (FASFA) for 2025-2026;
• Provide a copy of the last federal tax return or proof of total household income for 2024.

SPECIAL NOTE:
Scholarship awardees will automatically become MANA members for the scholarship year. Recipients can use MANA as a reference on their resumes of  professional organization participation.  Recipients must also be willing to provide five (5) hours of volunteer work. Participation in the MANA’s TIA Program or Hermanitas Program will count as meeting the five hours of volunteerism requirement.
DEADLINE:
All information must be received by the MANA Scholarship Committee on or before April 16, 2025. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered or reviewed by the committee. If additional information is needed, please contact Ines de Jesus via e-mail at: idejesus5044@aol.com
NOTIFICATION OF AWARD:
All awardees will be notified via email. Awardees must attend the MANA Brindis Luncheon to receive their scholarships.  Date and location will be announced at a later date.

NOTE: Members or relatives of members of the Scholarship Review Committee are not eligible for the Monica L. Martinez Leadership Scholarship.