American Dream Educational Scholarship Program

Offering financial assistance in the form of scholarships for first-generation children of immigrants who were born and raised in the US to have access to higher education. 

​

Criteria:

1. Must be born in the US

2. Parents/guardians must have been working in the foodservice industry in the US for a minimum of 5 years to be eligible

3. Applicant must be applying to a 2-4 year college program (trade school applications will be accepted on a limited basis)

4. Student may have no criminal history

5. School performance and extracurricular activities will be evaluated

6. Application and essay must be completed

7. Scholarship will be valid for 2 years with proof of enrollment and minimum 3.2GPA each year

8. For 4 year programs, student must reapply after 2 years

9. 3 scholarships will be awarded in the first year of the program with 2 being awarded each year thereafter, each with a value of $10,000

 

How it works:

• Apply online or mail

• Applications will be evaluated by the board

• Top 3 candidates will receive $10k for 2 years with proof of enrollment and performance

• Check will be paid directly to (student, school, parent/guardian???)

• End of first year, student must submit follow up form (found on website) with supporting documents for performance (report card, list of accomplishments, letters of recommendation from professors, etc) for evaluation before receiving 2nd year funds.

 

Why we’re doing it:

As the first generation to immigrant parents, I understand the value of the dream.  I am a product of those dreams.  As a restaurateur, our business succeeds because of the hard work of immigrants who moved here in the hopes that their kids would have access to better - better food, better health, better schools, better choices, better LIFE.  We believe education is the cornerstone to achieving BETTER.  Our dream is to give back to those who gave so much to us and the best way we believe to do that is to help their children achieve more.  We value their hard work, understand their dreams for their kids and want to help make it more achievable. 

 

Who we are:

Anza Kidogo is a 501c3 non-profit organization on a mission to support, advance and empower our community (youth?) to achieve a more inclusive (peaceful, better, global, kind?) tomorrow through access to education and healthcare.  It was started by 3 sisters hoping to do as much good as life allows and inspiring their children (and maybe others) to do the same.  (make the world a little better and maybe inspiring their kids to do the same.?)

The American Dream Program grew out of the desire to help a long time employee pay for his children’s college education.  Though he was well paid, the stress of getting his kids a college education wore on him.  The cost of higher education in the US is exorbitant, regardless of your annual salary. The more we thought about his situation, the more we realized there were many people in our industry (we own and operate full service restaurants in the DFW Metroplex) in a similar position.  With the right funding, the right team, and the right vision, there’s a chance to make a small difference in our local community.