The MolinaCares Accord Awards $100,000 to 2023 Community Service Scholarship Winners

07/25/2023

CHICAGO, August 24, 2023 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Illinois, recently awarded a total of $100,000 to 10 students in Illinois through the MolinaCares 2023 Community Service Scholarship Program.

“MolinaCares is proud to sponsor a program that supports community service, while also rewarding local students who give back to their neighbors in Illinois,” said Matt Wolf, plan president of Molina Healthcare of Illinois. “We are honored to support these extraordinary youth in pursuing their educational goals.”

The MolinaCares Community Service Scholarship Program was open to students in Illinois who demonstrated financial need and are actively serving their community. Winners were selected based on their creative responses to the questions “What does community mean to you,” “How has your community service made an impact on the community,” and “What have you learned and how has it impacted you?”.

This year’s winners were Kenya Apongule, Spelman College; Kirsten Martin, Georgia State University; Loyal Bridges, University of Missouri; Aubrianna Nestoras, University of Illinois; Aieryanna Dismuke, University of Missouri; Sharya Peterson, Southern University and A&M College; N’yianna Goins, Texas Southern University; Briannah Smith, Bradley University; Perla Gonzalez, Kishwaukee College; and Edward Washington III, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
 
“The MolinaCares scholarship allows me the opportunity to focus on what’s important – my education,” said Gonzalez. “It has taken a financial weight off of my shoulders so that I can concentrate on being a well-rounded student and a person who gives back to my community.”

“The MolinaCares scholarship is not just financial aid,” said Washington. “it’s a powerful affirmation of my dedication to community service and the potential I have to make a difference. I am truly grateful, as this award is not only an investment in my academic journey, but also in the south side of Chicago, the community of Black college students, and more.”

About The MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities. 

About Molina Healthcare of Illinois
Molina Healthcare of Illinois has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2013. The Company serves members through Medicaid and Medicare-Medicaid programs throughout Illinois. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.2 million members as of June 30, 2023. For more information about Molina Healthcare of Illinois, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.