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New Hope for Kids and the family of Dr. Alan J. Saffran are proud to present a Scholarship Program created specifically for qualifying participants in our grief program. Dr. Saffran had a strong passion for education, and upon his death in 2013, his wife and children decided to honor that passion by creating a scholarship fund. As they were grieving his death, Dr. Saffran’s wife, Pamela, learned about New Hope for Kids’ mission to help grieving children. Because of her determination, compassion, and generosity, this scholarship program became a reality in 2019, offering help for college when the possibility of attending might have seemed impossible after their loss. It truly honors Dr. Saffran’s passion for education and supports the mission of New Hope for Kids.
Each year, the Dr. Alan J. Saffran Scholarship will award scholarships to college-bound Central Florida students who have demonstrated perseverance in the face of adversity, and who meet requirements set by the governing committee. The scholarship will be awarded based on each student’s high-school educational achievement, character, and financial hardship/need.
To submit by mail, please download the application below and mail with all additional documents to:
New Hope for Kids
Dr. Alan J. Saffran Scholarship Application
544 Mayo Ave.
Maitland, FL 32751
For the purpose of simplification, the word “college” will represent “university, college and/or technical school.”
Students applying for this scholarship:
We are honored to introduce you to the 2023 recipients:
Riley Johnson, 19 years old, was just 3 ½ when her father died. She shared, “While it created challenges and heartache, it also fueled my determination and resilience. Through studying accounting and engaging in volunteer work, I aim to honor my father’s memory by helping others who have experienced the loss of a parent.” Riley is majoring in Accounting at the University of Mississippi.
Sara Kyle, 19, came to New Hope for Kids after her father died when she was 8 years old. Her family’s financial struggles after his death caused Sara to work extra hard academically, and she is proud to have graduated in the top 2% of her class at Colonial High School. She is attending the University of Florida to pursue a career in nursing. “Caring for others is my personal way of paying it forward to those who cared for me and my father when he was ill.”
Gianna Rojas, 18, is attending the University of Florida as a Mechanical Engineering major. She and her family attended New Hope for Kids after the death of her father when she was 3 years old. The healing she experienced as a child in her support groups inspired Gianna to become a volunteer grief facilitator herself. In this role she was able to show other children by example that “life doesn’t end when the shelter around you crumbles.”
Jack Wegman was 5 years old when he was introduced to New Hope for Kids after his father’s death. Jack is the proud recipient of his 2nd Saffran Scholarship award. Now 19, he is a University of Central Florida Kinesiology major who has learned a lot this past year, both academically and about life. When thinking of his father’s legacy, Jack said, “The hardships I’ve suffered from his passing have made me stronger and wiser.”
New Hope for Kids provides support to children and families grieving the loss of a loved one and fulfills the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions. Dedicated to healing hearts and fostering hope, we empower our community through comprehensive support programs and transformative experiences.