If you know BCG then you know we love our Change-Makers! Meet Yasmine Arrington our latest Change-Maker spotlight, she’s was recently named BET and Black Girls Rock M.A.D. Girl and she’s pretty amazing! FYI Yasmine is picture above on the left, enjoy her story!
BCG: Yasmine, tell us more about ScholarCHIPS? How did it get started? What drives your passion behind your charity?
Yasmine: Being the child of a previously incarcerated father, I know firsthand the struggles that come along with that. Having an absent parent often puts a financial strain on the household, so not only did I watch my mother struggle to provide for me but my two younger brothers as well. I also understand the emotional strain that comes with having a parent in prison; it’s often embarrassing and can make a child feel abandoned and unloved.
It’s a taboo issue we don’t really talk about, but I felt that that needed to change. Also having been a part of an after school program called LearnServe International my junior year of high school, they taught me how to be a social entrepreneur; to identify an issue in my community and find a solution. Mass incarceration among minorities was a huge issue for me. ScholarCHIPS stuck! We began with a $1,000 seed grant and a Washington post article. ScholarCHIPS is my passion because it is my story. It is from my story that the idea and organization was birthed and took form. Having met the first round of scholarship recipients…seeing other young people like myself with the drive to be educated individuals and sticktoitiveness despite their parents’ mistakes made me realize that this is an important cause and a needed organization.
BCG: What annual events ScholarCHIPS host to bring awareness and fund raise?
Yasmine: Annually ScholarCHIPS hosts what we call a “Friendraiser,” which is a free, informal get together with food and entertainment to tell people what we’re about and encourage them to drop a donation in a box on their way out. We also co-host a race annually with HalfSmoke HalfMarathon, which is a half marathon in which runners have to stop midway through the race at Ben’s Chili Bowl in DC, eat a halfsmoke hotdog with chili cheese and finish the race. This year we had 60 runners. We also host profit shares with local food shops, benefit concerts, and auctions.
BCG: What is the target demographic that the ScholarCHIPS supports?
Yasmine: The demographic that ScholarCHIPS currently targets are high school graduating seniors in DC, Maryland, and Virginia with a parent or parents in prison, who are going to college. They have to have a 2.0 minimum GPA to apply and they do not have to be U.S. citizens.
BCG: How can others get involved with your cause within their local communities or support you from afar?
Yasmine: ScholarCHIPS is always looking for volunteers at our next event. If you are interested in volunteering or checking us out at our next event, email us at scholarchipsfund@gmail.com. We always need donations. If you’d like to donate any amount, you may do so on our website at www.scholarchipsfund.com or mail a check to our P.O. Box. For teens eligible to apply, you may download the application from our website as well. We also welcome marketing and PR volunteers.
BCG: What are some of your major accomplishments and awards?
Yasmine: This year has been a tremendously successful year for me personally and for ScholarCHIPS. In 2012 I was recognized by both Black Girls Rock and BET and awarded the “Unsung Heroes” Linowes Leadership Youth Award. As a result I was featured in Teen Vogue and on the Tom Joyner Morning show with Jacque Reid and WPGC 95.5.
BCG: What final words of wisdom would you’d like to share with our readers?
Yasmine:For children (and adults) everywhere, my advice is that if you have a dream pursue it with all of your might! Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do it and don’t let anyone or anything stop you. It won’t be easy, but anything worth getting doesn’t come easy. For children with parents in prison, understand that your parents do love you and do not let their mistakes hold you back from a prosperous future; forgive them and love them as they are still your parents. Remember, the tassel is worth the hassle! Thank you BCG with all of my heart for this opportunity to share my story and my work! To learn more about Yasmine and her work with ScholarCHIPS visit www.scholarchipsfund.
