CHFA Building the Future Scholarship

CHFA is a mission-driven enterprise working to strengthen Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development. CHFA Building the Future Scholarships are awarded to students pursuing postsecondary credentials in high-wage, high-skill, in-demand career pathways. Eligible pathways include: Health; Energy, Natural Resources, Infrastructure, and Engineering; Professional and Technical Services; Education; Business Operations; and Construction and Skilled Trades.

 

Julie Decker, Pueblo Community CollegePhoto of Julie Decker

I am a hard-working single mother who works full time and absolutely loves going to school to work towards a better future for myself and my young daughters. I love hiking, running, and enjoy reading in my spare time, or listening to audio books during my long commute to school.

 

 

 

 

Bernadine Jackson, Front Range Community CollegePhoto of Bernadine Jackson

I am a mother, grandmother, friend, student, and a teacher. I am a mother of officially 6 children 5 of them are grown and gone the 6 one is my grandson, but I have had custody since he was 4 months old, he had a rough start, but he is 9 now and smart as all get out and my angel sent from above. It is just the two of us, but we are surrounded by a village of friends that we call family, and they give us amazing amounts of support. I am a teacher in ECE and love what I do and will continue to grow within my profession and education.

 

 

 

 

Kimberly Jellison, Pueblo Community CollegePhoto of Kimberly Jellison

I am not the typical college student. I entered the nursing program at Pueblo Community College at the age of 54. I am active in student government, and I volunteer at a children’s advocacy center. I am proud that I managed to maintain a 4.0 grade average for my first year of nursing school. My greatest desire is to become a hospice nurse. I have completed over 100 hours of clinical experience at Hospice House in Durango, and when I receive my LPN licensure in August, I plan to work in home Hospice until I receive my RN certification. In my spare time, I love to read and spend time with my children and friends.

 

 

 

 

Photo of Salem KnucklesSalem Knuckles, Pueblo Community College

My name is Salem Knuckles and I grew up in a small town in rural Colorado. I have been perusing my career in health care since my junior year of high school when I took a fire science and EMR class. I continued pursuing health care and took EMT, CNA, and phlebotomy classes my senior year and have not stopped my career in health care since then. I thoroughly enjoy helping people and I know that I chose the right path for myself.

 

 

 

 

 

Chana Kolman, Pikes Peak State CollegePhoto of Chana Kolman

I am Chana. I am a Nursing student, and I work full-time. I cannot wait to be a Nurse! I am a 5th generation native of Colorado, and I love the outdoors. I love hiking, snowboarding, golfing, tennis, and being on two adult kickball teams! I love to garden and do yoga! I am a dog mom to three dogs and actively volunteer in our community.

 

 

 

Photo of Sheena LittleSheena Little, Pueblo Community College

I am a caregiver at heart. I enjoy making other people’s lives better any way that I can. Even if it’s a glass of ice water to a hand to hold during the hardest time in their life. I am a mother of two, who are my whole world and are the motivation and drive to keep me going.

 

 

 

 

 

Photo of Alisha SaylorAlisha Saylor, Northeastern Junior College

I am entering my sophomore year as a full-time student at Northeastern Junior College majoring in Early Childhood Education and working part-time outside of school. I try to give my best to any task I set my mind to and hope it will have a positive impact. I love volunteering with different children’s programs at my church, spending time out in nature, and playing with my pets.

 

 

 

Abigail Snyder, Pikes Peak State CollegePhoto of Abigail Snyder

My name is Abigail Snyder, and I’m from the small town of Woodland Park, Colorado. I am excited to be starting my first year of college at PPCC, in the fall. When I’m not focusing on schoolwork, I like to spend time outside hiking, or trying new baking recipes. Spending time with my family is also very important to me. We like to travel together, and also have healthy competition while playing board games.