Avesta Housing, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England, has named the recipients of its 2024 educational scholarships.
The $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually to Avesta Housing residents who are enrolling in a post-secondary education program — such as college, graduate school, trade school or certificate program — in the next 12 months.
“Many of our residents face significant financial barriers to pursuing higher education,” said Nicholas Kjeldgaard, Avesta Housing’s resident service manager. “These scholarships help remove those barriers and give them a chance to pursue their career goals.”
This year’s recipients are:
Gertrude Armelle Akimfura, of Westbrook, plans to attend the University of Southern Maine and become a licensed child therapist. “I am very thankful that I won this scholarship, because it will really help,” she said.
Nancy Assoutovi, Portland, plans on attending Southern Maine Community College to work toward a nursing degree, which was inspired by her own experiences as a patient in the U.S. health care system. She intends to use the scholarship money to purchase school supplies.
“I love the Avesta community, because it gives the same chances to everybody,” Assoutovi said. “I know everybody who applied for this scholarship is hoping for a good future, and that’s what it will do for me. It will help give me a better future.”
