Annual Report 2019-20

STARS
SCHOLARSHIP
An Iowa West Foundation Initiative
Enrollment
STARS Scholarship, funded by the Iowa West
Foundation, supports parents in Pottawattamie
County on their path to a job that pays a livable
wage by providing financial assistance, career
planning, and other supports.
60
40
This year the program served over 50 scholars and
awarded nearly _____ in assistance.
20
0
Alumni Spotlight
Fall 2018
Spring 2019
Fall 2019
Spring 2020
Molly Richardson, 2017-20
Molly Richardson was a STARS Scholar from 2017-
2020. She is married with four children, three still
living in the household. Upon application, Molly was a
childcare provider with a local childcare center here in
Council Bluffs, IA, receiving $11.80/hr. and her annual
household income was under $45,000. When her
youngest child started elementary school she was
motivated to further her education to better support
her family. Molly received a bachelor’s of arts from
Buena Vista University’s satellite location on the Iowa
Western Community College campus. Molly’s biggest
challenge was no longer being able to work while
completing her practicum in spring 2020..
Molly says, “Having STARS assistance with living expenses, licensure fees and support during her student
teaching practicum would have been impossible to complete and I will be forever indebted to the program
and thankful for experience while being a part of the program”. Molly is currently a kindergarten teacher
within the Council Bluffs Community School District and her household income has increased over 50%.
Molly is one example of how the STARS program impacts our community and strengthens our