Higher Education as the Path to Stronger Military Families and Communities
Our Family for Families First Foundation is committed to supporting military family members in the pursuit of higher education and establishing a tradition of community service. The Foundation has awarded more than $3 million in scholarships and grants to the children and spouses of military families since 2006 (more than 200 students) and initiated more than 40 targeted outreach programs in towns and cities surrounding military installations.
34 comments
Gerardo Konig • over 14 years ago
I wish you the best!
Elaine Soto • over 14 years ago
Keep up the good work. Elaine Soto
Brandi Runnels • over 14 years ago
This organization's commitment to military personnel and even more importantly to their families amazes me everyday. It isn't just a scholarship or grant they give . . . it's an offering of a "family." I can truly say that the people in this organization care about every aspect of the lives they touch and try to do better year after year. I don't call them "the people who gave me my scholarship," I call them "family." Congratulations on all your hard work for military families and becoming a finalist. The words can never be enough for what you have done and will continue to do but . . . Thank you!
Anthony Tuttle • over 14 years ago
Our Families for Families First Foundation is the reason I was able to complete my Bachelor's degree and pursue my graduate degree without fear of falling into debt. The financial freedom I had allowed me to get involved on campus and maximize my college experience. Without them, I would not be where I am today. Thanks for everything!!
Raniah Crail • over 14 years ago
Our Family First foundation is a wonderful organization that truly does put families first! Yes it is a foundation, but you ARE a person and you DO feel like Family!! Melissa Bayou and Staff I appreciate all the encouragement and support beyond just the grant. I truly enjoy your support and am excited to keep you guys up to date on my latest news and/or accomplishments!! My husband is deployed and your organization went as far as to send him care packages. (Who does that? Family.Thank you.) This December, I will earn my Bachelors degree in Elementary Education.I Cannot wait to give back and work with military children around military bases!! -Your gift is a gift that keeps on giving.
Your organization is definitely committed to our Military Families all across the country.Reminding us to always reach for our Dreams and never give up! (even non-traditional spouses) Thank you again. :)
Melissa Ballou • over 14 years ago
Our website link above on our submission page is currently not working. Please visit our website at www.ourfamilyfoundation.org to learn more about our organization. Thank you for your support!
Samantha Patro • over 14 years ago
I was so blessed to have received this scholarship and can not express how thankful I am for it! Not only did it relieve a financial burden (like everyone else pointed out already), but it truly did allow me to become part of the Our Family For Families First Family as well. I have received so much support from Melissa, Maria, and Dawn and am so happy to be a part of this. Every time I see all the other recipients comment on how thankful the are, I feel the exact same way! Without them I would not have been able to go to the college I wanted to attend and I will never be able to thank them enough, but I can try. Thank you so much for everything!
Whitney Pugh • over 14 years ago
This organization has changed not only my life, but the lives of the people I love. It relieved so much stress, and helped me to feel more prepared about schooling. The organization loves their students and never stops giving! I know that Maria, Dawn, or Melissa are only a call or email away, and they are prepared to help you with anything. They've helped me grow into a responsible young woman with the desire and courage to succeed. I am forever indebted to them!
Melissa Booth • over 14 years ago
What you do for soldiers families is awesome! -Melissa Booth :)
Daniella Hightower • over 14 years ago
This organization has been very beneficial to me during my freshman year of college. They have not only prepared me financially for college, but they have helped me adjust to the changes and challenges that I have faced as I begin my pursuit towards a higher education. Like many people stated earlier, the have truly become like a family to me, and I am thankful to have such a wonderful organization by my side!!!
Sandy Wood • over 14 years ago
Our Family for Families First Foundation is not only a scholarship organization; they are a support system for the student as well as their family. Even when my Dad was deployed in Iraq, the foundation made sure to send him pictures of our experience as though he was right there with us. They had a runner run in his honor in the Boston Marathon. They show an incredible amount of appreciation for our soldiers. Our Families does not just tell you how to succeed in college, they show you and offer help and advice when it's needed. I was able to study abroad in Israel, an amazing experience that I wouldn't even have been able to consider if it wasn't for the help and kindness of this organization. Our Families isn't only interested in getting you through college financially, they are invested in your success and your happiness throughout your college career and I believe long after. It is organizations like this one that encourage myself and other students to embrace their kindness and be able to pass it along to others around us. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to succeed in a way that teaches me to be a better person and inspires me to one day be able to give others what they have gone out of their way to give me. Our Family for Families First Foundation has given me so much more than financial stability, they have given me the courage to explore open mindedly, to give generously, to appreciate everyone humbly, and most of all to accomplish everything I could ever dream of achieving.
Johanna Almquist • over 14 years ago
Our Families for Families First Foundation is not just a scholarship foundation that sends a check to you and never follows up, it is a family! Endless support is provided to the student and family and the encouragement to reach for higher hopes and expectations of yourself is amazing. The Foundation made my dream of being the 5th generation member of my family to attend what will be my alma mater. Being military brought the burden of out-of-state tuition to my family and I and with this scholarship I was able to make it affordable to attend. Often I believe military kids get left out of the bunch, often lost with only family to encourage and support them because we move so much and dont really have alot of stability to our lives. Our Families for Families First gives us that "home away from home" feeling as they are another family to support us, our service member, family, and entire military community. Without their help I wouldnt be where I am today. This organization deserves more admiration than I can explain and the dedication to the military on the homefront and abroad is undeniable.
Autum Conley • over 14 years ago
Our Families for Families First Foundation is so much more than a scholarship foundation, they're a family that continues to grow each year. They care about our experiences, our goals, our accomplishments, our struggles and they are there as a support system through it all. Without this foundation I can honestly say I would not be where I am today. I would not be able to be accomplishing goals while receiving an extremely good college education at a liberal arts school. A school that I would not have been able to attend if it weren't for Our Families for Families First. This organization deserves so much more recognition than we could ever give to them. Needless to say, they have changed my life and my future.
Mike Sarisky • over 14 years ago
This Company and this Foundation are Second to None. Just another reason it is an honor to be a part of everything we do here everyday!! I am humbled to be a part of this great Family!! - Mike Sarisky :-)
Jon Wilson • over 14 years ago
This organization is awesome. The direct impact that this organization has on the families involved is significant. I have personally seen how much this can touch and impact the soldiers families who serve our country so tirelessly.
Tomitha Zimmerman • over 14 years ago
Our Families for Families First is an amazing foundation that not only gives back to military families but is really involved with the student's success. Without this organization I would not be able to pursue my education while juggling being an army wife and mother. This foundation did not only help me financially but they believed in me and gave me the extra confidence that I needed. Thanks to them, I am a wonderful role model to my children. I don’t have to tell them the importance of an education. They see it first hand and at 11 and 7, they are already “picking out” what school they want to go to. And that is the greatest gift of all!
Lacey Lokken • over 14 years ago
I am so thankful to have been chosen to receive this scholarship from Our Family for Families First. As many people have already said, it has taken the huge financial weight off of my shoulders and my family's. It has given me the opportunity to experiment with classes that I might have never thought to try. Also, I'm now able to study abroad. As a result, I'm quickly discovering what I really want to do after college. I know my next 3 1/2 years will be full of adventure and knowledge, all thanks to Our Family for Families First. After I graduate, I know I'll still have a support group for life. I cannot adequately express my appreciation to Melissa, Dawn, Maria, the Picerne family, and everyone else that made this possible. I truly feel like everyone here is part of my family. You all have changed my life for the better!
Christa Byrd • over 14 years ago
I am so grateful to have been one of the recipients of the Our Family For Families First scholarship and one of the first graduates. It opened opportunities to me that would have been harder to achieve without out it. I'm so thankful to be apart of this organization and love that we are a FAMILY! ^_^ Thank you guys for everything!
Carolyn Bolger • over 14 years ago
The Our Family for Families First scholarship allowed me to attend the University of Chicago (one of the top 10 universities in the nation, and in the top 10 most expensive!) without being a financial burden. I am graduating 100% debt-free in March and I would not have been able to do it without the support -- financial and emotional -- from the Foundation. I am excited to attend their freshman orientation in Boston this summer so I can share my experiences with a new group of scholarship recipients!
Oh - and they always make sure to send individual Christmas cards to deployed family members of each recipient. The Foundation truly understands military children and spouses.
Wendy Barilla • over 14 years ago
Just like the military this company "Leads From The Front" in everything it does! HOOAH!
richard verrier • over 14 years ago
I am humbled to be part of such a great orginization with values!!!
Christopher Harris Jr. • over 14 years ago
The Our Family for Families First Foundation is such a great organization. The relief of any financial burden is only part of what makes this such a great cause. The people involved actually care about the scholarship recipients. Everyone is in contact and is so friendly. I will never forget meeting everyone in Boston and really feeling part of a big family. They are there along the way to help you out in any way you need. I am extremely grateful!
Tanya Brevard • over 14 years ago
If I could vote more than once a day I would. Our Family for Families First is making the dream of a college education a reality for so many students. I am forever grateful for the opportunity my son had to graduate without the financial burden so many students have. Thank you again and again.....
Laurie Buckley • over 14 years ago
Picerne provides the best services I've received since joining the Army.
Chris Ballou • over 14 years ago
It's great when people can make dream's a reality! Thank you! People will forever be grateful because you made their dreams come true!