Witherspoon Presbyterian Church is helping students kick-start their college careers by taking one worry off their shoulders when it comes to preparing for college. This year, 15 students received Legacy Trunks filled with college dorm essentials from the church’s program.
The vision Delois and Micros Berry had when starting the scholarship fund was to “empower and educate young men and women.”
Since 2019, the program has provided 53 students with Legacy Trunks full of journals, cookware, bedding and other dorm essentials. The program even provides students with mini fridges and microwaves for their dorms.
“We wanted to make sure they had everything so they could focus on their studies,” Delois said.
Each student is connected to a mentor who helps guide them through prayer and support. Mentors will help facilitate communication between students and the church while they are at college. Pastor Winterbourne Harrison-Jones said the program provides yearlong spiritual support from the congregation as students learn and grow.
“The Legacy Trunk offers these young people an amazing community of support to help them become the leaders and change agents God called them to be,” Harrison-Jones said.
Most students are recommended to the program by school counselors or family members. To receive a trunk, students must demonstrate outstanding citizenship, academic achievement and financial need.
Mentorship is an important component of the program, Micros said. Without it, the program “would not be successful.”
“It takes a village to raise a kid; this is part of Witherspoon’s Christian village,” Micros said.
Students also help improve the program by providing feedback on the usefulness of items in the trunks.
Church and community members donate to honor the “legacy of their ancestors” by donating in the name of loved ones.
“This is God’s program; it’s our job to facilitate,” Delois said.
Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email jaydenk@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay. For more news from the Indianapolis Recorder, click here.
