Programs
"Learn and Earn" scholarships provide low-income adults the opportunity to learn new skills in vocational/technical training programs and then earn their way out of poverty. Anita Williams is our first success story. Anita graduated in August 2013 with an Associate Degree in Engineering Graphics (drafting and design) and is now employed full-time as a Technical Illustrator at a local aerospace firm with good pay and benefits. She and her two teens moved out of public housing and into a rented home. Our scholarship graduates have also purchased homes, purchased reliable transportation, and have continued their education (sometimes using tuition assistance benefits from their employers). Read more about them under the "Successes" tab on the main menu. Read about AOD's active scholarship recipients under the "Scholarships" tab on the main menu. Additional Learn and Earn Scholarship information:
- AOD recruits applicants by publicity on its website, Facebook page, through the financial aid offices of training institutions it works with (e.g. J.F. Drake State, Calhoun, and Global Tech Institute), through an email subscriber list, and through publicity to various churches, clergy, other agencies, non-profits, and ministries such as:
- The Care Center
- Choose Life of North Alabama
- Christian Womens’ Job Corps
- Downtown Rescue Mission
- First Stop
- Harvest Youth Club
- Huntsville Housing Authority
- Launch Program
- Lincoln Village Ministries
- Village of Promise
- Scholarships are awarded in a four-step selection process:
- Review paper applications
- Interview one or more applicants
- Conduct criminal background check for selected finalists
- Final Selection(s) based on funds available and background check results
- AOD commits to each scholarship recipient from selection through program completion and employment
- Bible given (funded by the AOD Board of Directors)
- As required: tutoring, resumé help, interview coaching, job placement assistance, personal finance education (Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University)
- Other
- Scholarships are funded only through private individual and business donations (no Government grants) and fundraising events. We want our scholarship recipients to know that caring neighbors, churches, and businesses in their community are assisting their aspirations.
- Funds for tuition and books are deposited by AOD into student accounts at Drake State
- Scholarship recipients are encouraged to become donors to AOD upon employment
"Imagination and Aspiration" scholarships provide science and technology summer camp experiences to children from low-income families. As of December 2018, AOD has sent 11 children to summer camps organized by the Space and Rocket Center, Sci-Quest, Mindgear Labs, and Engineering for Kids. Priority is given to children of our adult Learn and Earn scholarship recipients in order to maximize the impact in each family.
True Careers Workshops began in 2017. These career readiness workshops are offered to youth and adults in the East Central Alabama area. This program is administered by "former" AOD board member Jeff Coggin in partnership with his CareerKwest USA initiative (http://careerkwestusa.com). Jeff is currently partnering with Our House in Auburn to conduct workshops to at-risk youth and with the Christian Women's Job Corps to conduct workshops for their clients.
True Careers workshops will use the "True Colors" personality assessment tool to help participants explore their particular personality type. The workshops are designed to help increase at-risk students' understanding of "Self" and also gain a greater knowledge of compatible and employable career opportunities in the local area (60 mile radius) based upon their particular interests and personality characteristics.
For more information, contact Jeff Coggin at:
305 E. Thach Avenue, Suite C
Auburn, Alabama 36830
Phone: (334) 663-2753