A Different Path, Inc. is an organization that provides a much needed service to young women of color charting their way to college and beyond. Sheila Bruce, the eloquent and driven founder of the organization was a former teacher and remembers the challenges of being young and attending a competitive college that her family was having a hard time paying for.
"It was a struggle but I made it through and graduated with honors." I was attracted to support this organization because of Ms. Bruce's zeal and commitment to serve others especially young women of color. Ms. Bruce makes certain students who become ADP Scholars of her program are fully supported and do not contemplate dropping out particularly because they may need to plug a financial gap to buy new clothes, commute to school, go back home to see a sick family member or return home for Winter, Holiday or Spring break. Scholarships and Grants are simply not enough to meet the costs of all academic and non academic costs. Through ADP's signature annual event DENIMS and DIAMONDS, Sheila Bruce works exceedingly hard to raise necessary funds to cover many of the hidden costs that prop up during the academic year. The results of her effort? -- many students, now graduates with high GPAs who surrendered their worry of finances to an angel called Sheila Bruce and an organization that not only served their immediate need but became family for forever support and community.
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- EIN 81-1433677
- P.O. Box 60941 c/o Sheila Bruce, Founder Potomac MD 20859 USA
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Education, Higher Education, Homeless & Housing, Housing Support, Human Services, Urban League
Mission: A Different Path Incorporated offers low-income students financial assistance to cover unexpected expenses during their first year of college. These could include academic-related costs, such as laptops, door room essentials, nonacademic costs like winter coats, emergency medical and dental treatment and help with plane or train tickets home because of a family emergency or event to get home over winter or spring breaks. A Different Path Incorporated wants to support students when they may contemplate dropping out because they do not have money to buy new clothes or commute to school or a family member was sick and they could not travel to see that family member. We are focused on helping students stay in school and reduce the hidden costs of obtaining a college education.
Target demographics: first generation college age women of color
Direct beneficiaries per year: Several students with back to school essentials and emergency funding during their academic year
Geographic areas served: the Greater Washington DC Area
Programs: Support non-academic expenses during first and second years of college