Meet CHIP’s 2025 Scholarship Recipients: Roni & Heather
After years of supporting the community through housing, CHIP took a bold step forward in 2024 and launched the CHIP Housing Educational Success Scholarship, a scholarship designed to support CHIP homeowners and residents pursuing college, trade school, and GED programs. The first recipients, Roni and Heather, were inspiring examples of resilience, and their stories demonstrate what CHIP hoped to achieve with the creation of this scholarship.
Roni’s story is one of grit and determination. She faced the daily demands of being a single mother and a full-time student at Yuba College. The weight of financial stress could have easily derailed her progress, but the CHIP Housing Educational Success Scholarship gave her the breathing room to pay for course materials and tools to focus on her future.
Roni’s dream is to master an automotive trade she can pass down to her son, creating a legacy of self-reliance. For Roni, graduation is a foundation for generational stability, especially as the first person in her family to attend college. Her journey is a powerful example of how access to housing and educational support can unlock potential and pave the way for lasting change.
Heather’s path is equally inspiring, a beautiful blend of heart and ambition. As a student at Yuba College, she juggled a full plate—studying, volunteering, raising her young sons, and preparing for another child on the way. Heather was a mother on a mission, driven by a vision to one day open a learning center and uplift others through education.
When Heather received the CHIP Housing Educational Success Scholarship, it wasn’t just financial relief—it was peace of mind. The scholarship helped her cover essential school expenses, allowing her to redirect funds toward nutritious food, books, and bills. It gave her the freedom to invest in her family’s well-being while staying focused on her academic and professional goals.
“I want my kids to see that it’s never too late to go after your dreams,” Heather shared at the scholarship ceremony held in Marymead Park’s community room.
Roni shared a similar sentiment when reflecting on what the scholarship means to her: "I am truly thankful for this opportunity. It is never too late to follow your dreams...This is an opportunity to better myself, to be a good mother, and show my son how to be a productive member of society."
CHIP is honored to stand beside our scholarship recipients as they lead their families into a better future. Their journeys are not just personal victories—they’re beacons of hope for others walking similar paths.
Roni and Heather’s stories are proof that when we invest in people, we ignite possibility. Your support can be the turning point in someone’s life. With your donation, we can fund even more scholarships—giving hardworking parents, first-generation students, and aspiring changemakers the chance to rise, thrive, and lead. Every dollar helps build a future where education and housing work hand in hand to break cycles of poverty and empower entire families. Be the reason someone dares to dream bigger. Visit chiphousing.org/scholarship and make your impact today.
