Allen Foundation -- Allen Book Award Scholarship

The Allen Book Award has partnered with the UConn GSA at the Hartford branch, reaching out to yet more students in the LGBTQ+ community. We all need to support each other to help make room for every person to be themselves.

I came across this scholarship at a social justice conference at Capital Prep's social Justice non-profit presentation. I was happy to see the table set up with books and films I never saw before. So happy.

As a local counselor for high school students, I can't thank the Allen Foundation enough for its outreach to our LGBTQ students. This scholarship has made a big difference.

A very needed scholarship. Many of my friends have questioning children, and simply the presence of this scholarship on the school lists is a positive reinforcement. But, the Allen Foundation goes beyond and advocates in local Hartford communities.

Allen Book Award Scholarship is partnering with, among others, the University of Connecticut Gay Straight Alliance. Great work!

While listening to NPR, a story came on about a teenager who used to sneak out of the house dressed in drag using his mother’s clothes, high heels, jewelry etc. He hung out with others who dressed the same way but they all faced taunts, shoves and even beatings. One evening this young man’s mother caught him ready to go out in full drag and she went into a rage, beat him up and kicked him out of the house. He said he has never gone back.

The Allen Foundation scholarship had just been created and while in tears hearing the story, I felt moved to provide support to the LGBTQ community in some way and this seemed like the perfect means to help a young person continue their education while on that journey to adulthood. The LGBTQ community needs to be supported, respected and treated like every other member in our society and this scholarship brings awareness to this important topic.

I am very proud to support this nonprofit. LGBTQ+ youth have long been overlooked and will greatly benefit from this scholarship program.

As young people navigate the turbulent years of high school, those identifying as LGBTQ face a unique set of challenges. The Allen Book Award Scholarship seeks to provide financial assistance and emotional support to these students as they plan for their future. As more members of this community go on to find their places in the world, their voices will add to the riches of our culture.

The Allen Talk at Rockville Public Library informed and moved me. This is an important scholarship that advocates for and supports students interested in LGBTQ+ issues, the arts, and social justice. A healthy community embraces every one of it members, and this work is central to that mission.

I am proud to be part of this new scholarship organization. Each person can make a difference in this world and this is what this scholarship means to me.