About The HEAR Foundation (Health Education and Relief)
The HEAR Scholarship Foundation’s mission is to provide financial and mentoring support to Chicagoland High School graduates of need, who have demonstrated academic excellence, commitment to community, and highest moral character in pursuing their dream of a college education.
The 2019 HEAR Scholarship Application Cycle is now open.
The deadline for submitting applications for our scholarship is Thursday, February 15th, 2019.
We wish you the best of luck with your application.
If you have any questions, please email: info@hearfoundation.org.
The HEAR Scholarship Foundation is creating opportunity and changing lives for underserved Chicagoland high school seniors. Please take a moment to listen to our scholars tell their stories in their own words.
Listen to our HEAR Story!
See, HEAR and discover what being awarded a HEAR Scholarship from our Foundation really means to some of our scholars. Listen to members of our Board of Directors explain why they felt compelled to become part of our organization and help change the futures of some of the Chicagoland area’s brightest students.
Desperately seeking Mentors!!
The HEAR Foundation is delighted to announce that in May 2019 we will be awarding up to 35 new college scholarships to High School graduates in financial need, who have shown perseverance and demonstrated academic excellence. Many of these students are first-generation college-goers in their family.
Did you know almost a third of first-generation students drop out of college in the first year? There are numerous reasons why this happens but often it is because they are overwhelmed by the journey ahead of them and they have no one to turn to for advice. The pressure of trying to succeed on their own is just too much.
The good news? You can help our incoming HEAR Class of 2023 navigate their way on this new and exciting journey and help them to succeed in college. What’s more, you will feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that you personally made a difference in someone’s life.
We are currently focussing attention on recruiting mentors for the HEAR Class of 2023. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in learning more about becoming a mentor (or are ready to volunteer your services), and want to make a meaningful difference in a young person’s life – whilst at the same time no doubt enriching your own – please contact us at info@hearfoundation.org. We look forward to hearing from you.
This could be you at our next annual fundraiser. Matt is one of our most dedicated mentors. He has supported Nick, a HEAR Class of 2019 scholar, throughout his four years of college.
Nick graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University this Spring having already accepted a full-time position at the organization where Matt helped him find an internship. Matt has been a committed mentor during Nick’s four years at college, offering support and advice whenever Nick needed it. Without a doubt, Matt’s help and commitment made a difference in Nick’s life! Nick presented Matt with our “Volunteer of the Year” award at our recent fundraiser as recognition for all he has done – thank you again Matt!
The HEAR Class of 2022 is our biggest yet, with 25 new scholars joining our program. We are delighted to welcome them into the HEAR Family of scholars and look forward to supporting them throughout their college careers. We are certain these 25 young men and women are destined for great things!
Meet the HEAR Scholar Class of 2022!
Please join us in congratulating these students as we celebrate their fantastic achievement….
Salma Barhoumeh from Lane Tech High School
Eric Brzeski from Lane Tech High School
Nick Caputo from Guerin College Prep
Rose Carroll from Chicago High School for Agricultural Studies
Brianna Davis from Morgan Park High School
Tara Deane from Lane Tech High School
Jean Dorelus from Evanston Township High Schjool
Eric Filipiak from Glenbrook South High School
CJ Foronda from Glenbrook South High School
Moria Hand from Loyola Academy, Wilmette
Shagufta Khatoon from Chicago Math and Science Academy
Oliwia Lakomy from Lane Tech High School
Nicola Maimon from Neuqua Valley High School
Jacqueline Mendoza from Taft High School
Vanessa Nieto fromSt. Ignatius College Prep
Justin Pita from Latin School of Chicago
Richard Rivera from Loyola Academy, Wilmette
Taylor Smith from Trinity High School
Kress Stewart from Walter Payton College Prep
Caitlin Strickland from Evanston Township High School
Ellery Therriault from Northside College Prep
Aniyah Travis from Kenwood High School
Daisy Trujillo from Northside College Prep
Annie Zhou from Walter Payton College Prep
Melanie Zuniga from Resurrection College Prep
Our Annual Awards Ceremony at St. Ignatius College Prep on May 8th was very successful . We welcomed our newest class of HEAR Scholars into the HEAR Family and celebrated our graduating HEAR Class of 2017.
Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Toinette McClellan Gunn (Vice President of Programs at Chicago Scholars), was on point and resonated with our past, present and future scholars as she shared her own story of how she persevered throughout her years as a student both at high school and through college. Despite many barriers Dr. Gunn, herself a first-generation college goer, understood how important education is to a successful future. We are incredibly grateful to her for taking time out of her busy schedule to talk to our scholars.
Announcing Our 2019 HEAR Board of Directors
2019 brings change for the Board of Directors at the HEAR Foundation. Chris Eigel, Joe Lamberti and George Silca remain in their positions but we are delighted to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors – Greg Cadichon and Michael Spaniak.
Both Greg and Michael have been involved with the HEAR Foundation for a number of years and we are thrilled that they have agreed to become officially involved by joining our board.
Each Board member plays a crucial role in ensuring the continuing success of the HEAR Foundation, taking on responsibilities within the different committees that make up our organization. More information on our board can be found in the “About” section of our website.
2019 HEAR Board of Directors
President – Chris Eigel
Vice President – Joe Lamberti
Secretary/Treasurer – George Silca
Directors –
Bob Browne Michael Spaniak
Greg Cadichon Dan Strzalka
Karoline Eigel James Weiss
Steve Hall Len Wislow
Patti Kelly Bob Wise
Dave McCreery Jim Ziemba
Dr. Ray Pollina Justin Ziemba
Michael Scott
Scholarships
Over $1,500,000 in scholarships granted since 2010.
Volunteer
Volunteer with us – make an impactful change in our community today.
Events
Connect with HEAR in your community. Join us at our next event!
Donate
Invest in Permanent Change. Make a contribution to HEAR today.
Recently from the Blog
Annual HEAR Summer Scholar Event – A New Format
Sunday, July 8th was our annual HEAR Summer Scholar Event and we were fortunate to be able to hold it at the Chicago Academy for the Arts who very kindly let us use their space. The main focus this year was on our newest, and largest, class of HEAR Scholars. In the...
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Welcoming The HEAR Class of 2022 At Our Awards Ceremony
We had a delightful evening at St. Ignatius College Prep on Tuesday, May 8th 2018 as we welcomed our latest class of HEAR Scholars into the family. This year's class is our biggest yet with 25 new scholarships awarded. Recipients attend high schools from all over the...
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Special Packages Sent To Our HEAR Scholars
We have to give a HUGE shout out to the wonderful ladies on the HEAR Scholarship Enrichment Committee who gave up an evening last week to pack up and send out care packages to our HEAR Scholars. Each box contained homemade cookies, brownies and other delicious snacks!...
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A Reflection On A Semester Spent Studying Abroad – Juliana Tamayo
"I knew I wanted to study abroad since I started college. As a Global Studies and Spanish double major I could basically choose to study abroad anywhere in the world. I’d always wanted to go to Spain so this helped me narrow down my options. I chose the Saint Louis...
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A HEAR Scholar’s Success Story
Kristy Flores, HEAR Class of 2017, was raised on the South Side of Chicago by a single mother. Even as a child Kristy noticed many things that were lacking in their lives, and she was determined to do something better for herself. From an early age, Kristy understood...
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Photos from the 2017 HEAR Fundraiser are ready!
Please enjoy these photographs taken at our Annual HEAR Fundraiser in December 2017. Everyone had a great time. We hope to see you again in 2018! Click on individual photos to enlarge! [gallery...
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