More than $35,000 in scholarships awarded to LCSNW clients ‘to build a better future’

Younger immigrants often come to America with dreams to safely pursue their education – dreams that once seemed out of reach. Along the way, they give back to their families, schools, and adopted communities.

For the past several years, LCSNW has financially assisted many hardworking students through our Cascade People’s Center (CPC) scholarship program. The recipients are clients of our programs in the Puget Sound and Spokane areas.

Five Puget Sound area students were recently awarded a total of $25,000 for the 2026-27 school year. Each student will receive $5,000 to pursue a post-secondary education in their chosen fields: healthcare administration, engineering, cybersecurity, and medical studies. The students are in their first or second year at schools including Shoreline Community College, Highline College, and Bellevue College.

“Their passion for learning and commitment to personal growth and community service are truly admirable,” said Joseph Fry, Associate Director of LCSNW’s Greater Puget Sound District. “We are confident that they will continue to excel in higher institutions of learning.”

In Spokane, six youth in our Unaccompanied Refugee Minor foster care program also earned scholarships. Three students were awarded a total of $10,550 from the CPC scholarship fund. Three others received government-assisted financial aid, as well as support through the Passport to College, the College Success Foundation Governor’s Scholarship, and the Ren H. Rice Scholarship.

“My journey will not only help me build a better future for myself but also inspire others in my family and community to believe that higher education is possible,” one Spokane student wrote in their scholarship application.

The CPC scholarship program was Inspired by the story of a young woman whose experience at the Cascade People’s Center in Seattle motivated her to apply and to attend college. The fund was created by a Lutheran attorney and his client.

From Puget Sound to Spokane, these scholarship recipients are building futures that once seemed uncertain. We are honored to celebrate all they have accomplished and excited to see where their journeys lead next.