Thursday Network I EMPOWER Scholarship Fund As part of its commitment to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan community, Thursday Network developed a scholarship program to help local high school students pursue a collegiate education at any accredited four-year college or university in the United States. Since 1992, the I EMPWOWER Scholarship Fund has provided over $130,000 in scholarship funds to deserving high school seniors in Washington, D.C. and Maryland's Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. An eligible applicant for the I EMPOWER Scholarship must: Have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0; Be a graduating high school senior with plans to attend a four-year college or university in the fall of 2010; Be a permanent resident and/or attend high school in the District of Columbia, Prince George's County (MD) or Montgomery County (MD). Thank you for your interest in the I EMPOWER Scholarship. The 2010 application cycle closed on March 5th. Community Service Opportunity: AVID Looking for a way to volunteer that works with your schedule? Would you like to impact the lives of middle school students in Prince Georges County? Well, join Thursday Network and the AVID program at Ernest E. Just Middle School in Mitchellville, MD. AVID, or Advancement Via Individual Determination is a program in which Thursday Network members can help place these middle school students on a path for collegiate success through a ONE-TIME interaction. Select a day & time that works best for your schedule, and share your story with the AVID students at Ernest E. Just Middle School! Download an application or send an email to JustAVID for more details. Thursday Network's Annual Young Blacks Give Back (YBGB) Month Young Blacks Give Back Month, also known as YBGB Month, is Thursday Network's most significant annual community service initiatives. Held during the month of May, YBGB is recognized by a DC mayoral proclamation, as an outstanding and noteworthy achievement in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan community. During this time, Thursday Network members perform a series of four to six community service events to reinvigorate the organization's resolve to serve and to reinforce the importance of giving back to causes and persons in need. Past YBGB activities include career fairs for high school students, revitalization of DC public schools and parks, nursing home visits, and financial literacy programs for young adults. Would you like to help plan YBGB 2010? Please email Deena Smith to join the committee.