Chicago Coalition to end Homelessness (CCH) is proud to announce its newest class of college scholarship winners. Six first-year students were celebrated at a July luncheon with friends, family, and CCH staff in attendance. The new winners graduated from Chicago area high schools this spring and will attend colleges and universities in Illinois, Michigan, California, and Ohio.

We are also pleased to share that three CCH scholarship students graduated this year with their bachelor’s degrees. They earned degrees from Howard University (English / secondary education), Agnes Scott College (business management / sociology), and Eastern Illinois University (English / secondary education). Another student recently became the first CCH scholar to earn their PhD, completing a degree in sociology from Louisiana State University this spring.

Since 2004, CCH’s scholarship program has provided up to five years of financial support as students work towards a college degree. The annual award amount increased to $4,000 in 2023 thanks to generous financial support from an anonymous family foundation and the family of Jill Meinzer. CCH also provides first-year winners with new laptops to support them in their studies.

Twenty-three new and returning students will receive scholarship support during the 2024-25 school year. They include six first-years, six sophomores, five juniors, and six seniors.

Four CCH scholarship program alumni, now in graduate school, will receive $500 stipends for books or other academic materials. These students’ academic programs include a master’s degree in education, law school, medical school, and a PhD in environmental engineering.

The 2024-25 scholarship winners are:

Nakeyia “Aneesah” La’nell Bailey, Lake Forest College

A graduate of The Noble Academy charter high school, Nakeyia “Aneesah” La’nell Bailey was a member of the track & field team, serving as a captain her senior year. She also participated in both the Gender & Sexuality Alliance club and DECA, a career development program focused on business, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Outside of her classes, Aneesah participated in programming with the Pedersen-McCormick Boys & Girls Club, working with a mentor while also mentoring those younger than herself.

Aneesah will major in biochemistry at Lake Forest College. Inspired by her own experiences, she plans to become an orthodontist so she can help others gain confidence through their smiles. In addition, she aspires to manage her own hairline company, so that she can help members of the Black community love their hair.

“My plan is to make people happy because it’s all I’ve ever wanted as a kid, to feel beautiful, to be confident, and happy within myself,” Aneesah shares.

Raven Miles, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

A first-generation college student, Raven Miles has dreamt of becoming a social worker since her junior year of high school. “Millions of people need therapy but aren’t able to get the help they need because of insurance and finances,” she wrote in her application. “I can’t help everyone in the world but I want to try to help those I can.”

As a student at Hansberry College Prep, Raven participated in a wide range of clubs, including anime, debate, women’s empowerment, and fitness/wellness. She was a member of the Bengals Dance Collective and inducted into the National Honor Society as a senior with a 4.67 GPA.

Raven plans to major in social work at the University of Michigan. She aims to begin her career as a school counselor / social worker and eventually become a licensed therapist.

Louisa Nwaigbo, University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign

Born and raised in Nigeria, Louisa Nwaigbo graduated from Argo Community High School in Summit, IL, where she was a member of the Black Student Union and the Equity Student Council. She also participated in track & field – serving as captain her senior year – as well as mathletes, Afterschool Matters, and the Girl Security mentorship program.

Inspired by her own challenges growing up, Louisa plans to pursue social work as a career. She will major in biomedical engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and later pursue a master’s in social work.

“I want children to understand that there is someone who cares for them, someone willing to hear about their roses and thorns, someone willing to take action, a shoulder to cry on and a friend to unwind with,” Louisa wrote in her application.

Gabriel Serrudo-Alvarez, College of Lake County

A Round Lake High School graduate, Gabriel Serrudo-Alvarez developed his love for technology as a child, watching his father fixing computers in the internet café where he worked. Born and raised in Bolivia, his family moved to the U.S. in 2023 to seek better economic opportunities. Gabriel was a member of Round Lake’s art club and volunteered as a religion teacher for 7–11-year-olds at his church.

Gabriel will attend the College of Lake County and major in computer science. He plans to work alongside his studies with the aim of transferring to the University of Wisconsin – Parkside as a junior to complete his bachelor’s degree.

Gabriel says that he chose computer science as a career “to better understand how these machines are capable of contributing to an unimaginable life – inspiring and fascinating more kids like me.”

Kennethia Teal, Central State University

Kennethia Teal graduated from Kenwood Academy High School where she played freshmen volleyball and was a member of the varsity swim team. Outside of school, she interned with the Bank of America, volunteered as a youth leader with the Woodlawn Restorative Justice Hub, and participated in the Urban Alliance Obama Youth Jobs Corps / High School Internship Program.

Kennethia will major in business administration at Central State University in Ohio, with plans to pursue an MBA with a master’s in accounting.

“I am confident that this educational journey will be instrumental in my professional growth, enabling me to contribute effectively to organizational success and financial health,” Kennethia wrote in her application. “Looking ahead, I am passionate about eventually starting a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing resources for low-income families, leveraging my expertise to make a positive impact on those in need.”

A sixth scholar has requested to remain anonymous.

The CCH scholarship program is only possible with the generous support of our community . This year’s awards were funded by the Susan W. Pearson Memorial Fund and 20+ individual donors giving between $25 and $5,000.

Awards are also funded through an annual distribution from CCH’s scholarship reserve account, created with support from the family of Jill L. Meinzer and an anonymous foundation.

To date, 38 scholarship winners have graduated with bachelor’s degrees, 51% of students eligible to do so and surpassing national averages for students from families earning lowest incomes. Four other students (5%) have earned associate or nursing degrees.

Serving on this year’s Scholarship Selection Committee are seven former scholarship winners: 

• Artist   Dontay Lockett is a 2016 winner and Columbia College Chicago graduate.
• Kristen Lang is a 2014 winner who teaches in the Chicago Public Schools after graduating from Benedict College. She is studying for a master’s in education from National Louis University.
• Mahalia Crawford, a 2014 winner and Tougaloo College graduate, earned a PhD in sociology, with a focus on race and crime, at Louisiana State University.
• Mayra Fajardois a 2017 winner who graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a double major in psychology and criminology.
• Nia Hill, a 2016 winner, studied accounting at Howard University and earned a master’s in nonprofit management from Columbia University.
• Pierrerasha Goodwin, a 2018 winner, graduated from Tougaloo College and is a current law student at the University of Alabama.
• Prince Washington, a 2017 winner, graduated from the University of Illinois – Springfield with a degree in political science.

The selection committee reviewed each application using a rubric to evaluate the strength of applicants’ short essays, transcripts, and recommendation letters. Seventeen high school seniors applied by the May 10 deadline. All finalists were interviewed by the committee via Zoom in June.

All donations to the CCH scholarship program directly support awards given to students.