Success Stories
Scholarship
In 2015 alone, HEMI awarded and astounding $100,000 in scholarships to help our mentees pursue post-secondary education in the 2016-2017 school year at the annual HEMI Celebration Dinner!
We were able to offer scholarships to HEMI students who are currently seniors in high school, mentees currently enrolled in post-secondary education or training programs, and re-engagement youth who are ready to begin their post-secondary education after taking a brief leave from school.
HEMI PREP students who participate in a yearly essay contest compete to earn awards that will be kept in their own Scholarship Bank. Award recipients may use his or her Scholarship Bank funds toward an accredited college or certification program after high school graduation.
Mentee Highlight
Dominique, a 2010 graduate of Aiken College and Career High School, was matched with her HEMI mentor in 2009. Dominique remains engaged with her mentor and the HEMI program; she often volunteers to participate or speak at HEMI events.
In May 2014, Dominique graduated from The College of Mount St. Joseph (now Mount St. Joseph University) with a bachelor’s degree in Communications and New Media Studies. "MSJ gave me the tools and prepared me for employment in the real world," Dominique stated. "I co-oped for many different organizations during my time there, including in the MSJ marketing office. My professors knew me by name and still do. I have made friends for life and I couldn't be more proud."
Immediately after graduation, she began her career pathway as a Youth and Public Information Summer intern with the Southwest Ohio Region Workforce Investment Board.
After working various jobs in retail and banking, Dominique was hired on at the Kennedy Heights Arts Center as the Events and Marketing Manager in 2015. This job is a perfect fit for Dominique; she is able to build on the knowledge she gained from her education at Mount St. Joseph and showcase her talents in planning events and marketing the diverse programs Kennedy Heights offers to the community.