Star Kids Scholarship Program has a philosophy of empowerment and seeks to help low-income children break cycles of poverty, drug abuse, and incarceration through education. To achieve these goals, programming is offered in the form of tuition aid to effective non-public schools, uniforms, after-school programs, tutoring and mentoring to children whose parents have a history of substance abuse and/or incarceration and demonstrate financial need. Star Kids Scholarship Program’s goal is for each student to graduate high school and pursue higher education opportunities.
Maureen Kerrigan first heard about the Star Kids Scholarship Program in 2009 when she was reviewing grant requests for the RBC Foundation. Shortly thereafter, Maureen joined the Board and has supported the Star Kids Scholarship Program with her time and talent for more than a decade. In addition to her contributions as a fundraiser, advocate and connector, Maureen and her husband have sponsored a student named Aidan since he was in Kindergarten. During this time, Maureen witnessed the cascading effects of the Star Kids Scholarship Program: Aidan’s mother went to college part-time and graduated with a degree in Project Management because her children were exceling in private school and receiving the support they needed in and out of the classroom. Maureen firmly believes that education and a solid family support system are irreplaceable foundations for all children and that the Star Kids Scholarship Program helps create these foundations when they are missing.