APBP is honored to announce the recipients of the 2022–2023 education scholarship: Aaron Blankenship and Justin Adams.
Now in its second year, the APBP education scholarship provides financial support to individuals pursuing higher education after being incarcerated in the state of West Virginia. Each awardee receives $3,000, thanks to a grant from the Ascendium Education Group.
Aaron Blankenship, Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College
Aaron Blankenship is working toward an associate degree in business management at Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Next, he hopes to earn a master’s degree in social work.
Mr. Blankenship has a peer recovery support specialist license and wants “to be able to provide the services much needed to help folks get their life back on track and to provide the best life I possibly can for my family.” He especially wants to set a positive example for his son.
The award money has helped him support his family while attending school. It has “taken away a lot of the stress that would have otherwise made it very difficult to concentrate on school. I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am so grateful for you guys.”
Justin Adams, Marshall University
After twenty years in prison where he committed himself “to living a life of service encouraging others to see hope rather than hopelessness,” Justin Adams is now a graduate student in the master’s of social work program at Marshall University.
Mr. Adams earned a bachelor’s degree in pastoral theology and bible doctrine in prison, a degree that involved peer-to-peer mentoring, grief counseling, behavioral intervention, and other prison programming.
He is proud to say he is now a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd and is “thrilled for this wonderful opportunity that has been afforded to me.”
Our Commitment to Education
The APBP education scholarship program is one of our organization’s most important developments.
Institutions of higher education in the United States, including colleges and universities, have historically created barriers for formerly incarcerated people who want to pursue degrees programs. Through our scholarship program, we are challenging these barriers.
Get involved today to help us continue to provide reading and educational opportunities for currently and formerly incarcerated people.