Scholarship Program Empowers Families Impacted by Incarceration

A New Path for Students with Incarcerated Parents

In a powerful effort to break the cycle of incarceration, Jennifer Greene, a bail bondswoman based in metro Atlanta, has introduced a scholarship program designed to support children whose parents are currently incarcerated. This initiative is aimed at helping these students pursue higher education and achieve academic success, offering them both financial aid and essential resources.

Greene, who comes from a family of bondsmen and works with the company Free at Last, believes that every individual has a role to play in shaping a better future. She shared her vision, stating, "I believe that God put us on this Earth to change the world." Her goal is to provide not only financial assistance but also the tools necessary for students to excel in their academic journeys.

The scholarship program is focused on students who are on the path to college. Greene emphasized that she wants to support these students not just financially, but also by giving them the basic necessities needed to succeed in the classroom. She hopes that the program will have a lasting impact on entire families, not just on one child.

"It would be great if the student has a sibling that we can impact," Greene said. "The goal is to impact that one family, and if they have siblings we can help pull up and get them on the right track, that would be great."

She explained that her decision to focus specifically on students with incarcerated parents was driven by the need for targeted outreach. "People ask, ‘Well why are you choosing kids with parents who are incarcerated?’ and my answer is sometimes you have to be exclusive to be inclusive," she said.

How to Apply

The scholarship is open to students who have a parent currently incarcerated. To apply, candidates must submit a 500-word essay responding to one of two prompts: "What does freedom mean to you?" or "What does adversity mean, and how will you use education to give back to your community?"

Applications are due by August 31, and winners are expected to be announced on September 7. The funds will be awarded once a student has been accepted into a college.

Greene shared that her work in the bail industry has given her firsthand experience with generational incarceration. "I’ve seen the father come in. I’ve seen the son come in. Get the son out, father out, mom out. I’ve seen it," she said. "It’s a cycle if you don’t break it."

Looking Ahead

This scholarship program represents a significant step toward addressing the challenges faced by children of incarcerated parents. By providing access to education and resources, Greene is helping to create opportunities for these students to build better futures.

For more information about the program and to apply, interested students can visit freeatlastbb.com/scholarship.

The deadline to apply is August 31, and the winner will be announced on September 7. This initiative is a testament to the power of education in breaking cycles of hardship and creating a brighter future for families.