$22,500 in Scholarships Awarded to the Valley’s Brightest

$22,500 in Scholarships Awarded to the Valley’s Brightest

Posted on May 31, 2022

Self-Help Enterprises is dedicated to helping our local communities grow and thrive via sustainable housing opportunities. As part of our commitment to the families that make up the San Joaquin Valley, SHE also offers scholarships to students pursuing a higher education whose families participated in a Self-Help Enterprises program. 

This year, Self-Help Enterprises awarded a total of $22,500 in scholarships to 16 of the Valley’s brightest students. The Doris “Do” Dooley Scholarship was named after Self-Help Enterprises’ former Board member and dedicated friend of the organization.  

After reviewing this year’s applications, a committee of Self-Help Enterprises’ Board of Directors selected the award winners based on academic merit and commitment to community service. Awards ranged from $500 to $3,000 and were available to students who plan to continue their education through a full-time vocational or trade school, community college or four-year university. 

2022 DORIS “DO” DOOLEY SCHOLARSHIP AWARD RECIPIENTS 

This student was chosen to receive a scholarship of $3,000:

• Kathy Torres (Planada Self-Help Housing) Kathy built her own home in Planada. She came to the US with her family at age 9. Her farmworker parents taught their children that hard work was the key to success. With this foundation, Kathy has worked full time, built her own home and is currently in her third year of a Master’s Program, all as a single mother. She will eventually be a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She plans to focus on the stigma of mental illness within minority communities. 

This student was chosen to receive a scholarship of $2,500:

• Gizelle Castillo (Woodlake Self-Help Housing) Gizelle’s family built their home in Woodlake. Her parents were not fortunate enough to attend school before immigrating to the US, but they always stressed to their children the importance of obtaining an education. Gizelle currently attends Fresno State where she earned a 4.0 GPA her first semester. She plans to teach elementary school in Woodlake. 

These students were chosen to receive scholarships of $2,000 each: 

• Monique Romero (Woodlake Self-Help Housing) Monique is graduating Woodlake High School where she held a GPA of 3.8. She provided volunteer labor on the construction site as each of her sisters built their own homes. Her dream is to be a registered nurse, and she plans to begin that journey at Fresno State. 
• Valerie Boylan (Clovis Emergency Services) Valerie lives in Clovis with her family. They lived without water in their home for a month before SHE provided a temporary tank, and they’re now trying to obtain financing for a new well and pump. Valerie is an accomplished triathlete, even competing in the National USAT Championships in Ohio; she is set to compete on her college team in North Carolina in the fall. 

These students were chosen to receive scholarships of $1,500 each: 

• Marbrisa Banos – Marbrisa is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently attending CSU Stanislaus. 
• Beatriz Silva – Beatriz is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently attending CSU Fresno. 
• Leslie Vasquez – Leslie is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently attending UCLA. 
• Daniela Carrillo – Daniela is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently attending UC San Diego. 

These students were chosen to receive scholarships of $1,000 each: 

• Alyna Barrera (Patterson Self-Help Housing) Alyna’s family built their own home in Patterson. She is excited to attend Modesto Junior College with the goal of becoming a graphic designer and creator of video games. 
• Emmanuel Hernandez – Emmanuel is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently attending UC Berkeley. 
• Jenny Ysais (Fresno — Housing Counseling and Education) Jenny worked hard to obtain her high school diploma at age 39. She is currently attending Clovis Community College with plans to continue on to a four-year university to earn a degree in criminal psychology. She would eventually like to work with individuals who need help accessing social services. 
• Evelyn Chavez (Modesto — Community Development) Evelyn and her family live at the Riverview Mobile Home Park in Modesto where SHE is assisting the community with their water contamination and septic system issues. She is in the final year of her engineering program at CalPoly San Luis Obispo. She has already secured an internship at Knott’s Berry Farm and has an offer for SOLV Energy, a company that creates solar plants. 
• Johnathan Pelayo-Lopez (Wasco — Self-Help Housing) Johnathan’s family built their new home in Wasco. He is a dedicated athlete and key member of several teams at Wasco High School. He plans to major in sports psychology in order to help other athletes reach their full potential. 

These students were chosen to receive scholarships of $500 each: 

• Juan Espinoza – Juan is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently attending CSU Bakersfield. 
• Angela Lopez (Planada — Self-Help Housing) Angela lives in a home built by her parents in Planada. Her family immigrated to the US when she was 11. Her desire is to attend UC Davis and major in bioengineering in order to help people with health challenges maintain an active lifestyle. 
• Andrea Torres – Andrea is a previous SHE scholarship winner and is currently in her third year at Fresno Pacific University. 
• Maria Mendoza – Maria is a previous SHE scholarship winner and will be attending Fresno State.