ScholarCHIPS, Inc. mission is to provide college scholarships, mentoring, mental health supports, and a peer support network to college-bound young adults who have incarcerated parents, inspiring them to complete their college education. Yasmine Arrington, Founder and Executive Director, established ScholarCHIPS after she and her grandmother were searching for scholarships to help cover her future college tuition, but could not find one for teens like her with incarcerated parents. Realizing that millions of other youth like her have an incarcerated parent and would benefit from a college scholarship and mentorship program tailored to their experience, Yasmine decided to create one herself. 

 

ScholarCHIPS is the only organization in the DC region that works to achieve the following mission: provide college scholarships, mentorship, mental health supports, and a support network for children of incarcerated parents, inspiring them to complete their college education. The advocacy program also impacts public policy and decreases the stigma faced by this population. ScholarCHIPS’ goal is to empower youth with incarcerated parents to graduate college, establish upwardly mobile careers, and contribute to their communities. To date, ScholarCHIPS has served over 80 scholars and has awarded over $450,000 in scholarships, book awards, and graduation gifts. ScholarCHIPS now has 35 graduates.