Humanas is a small Private Charitable Foundation (501c3) that has supported inner-city students during their college education for several decades. We currently support students in the New York City and Waukegan, Illinois areas.
All of our students typically qualify for the Federal Free/Reduced Lunch program. They have graduated from inner city high schools where they have done well academically. Typically they are the first in their family to go to college. They all receive some financial aid from a federal or state program or from their college.
We support students in two ways: financially and as mentors. The purpose of our rather modest financial aid is to supplement other financial assistance. Our grants are used to buy books, travel to and from school and other college-related expenses. We hope to reduce the student’s need to work in outside jobs.
Our degree of mentoring depends on the student’s needs. At a minimum, we meet with each student quarterly to talk about course selection for the future semesters, their financial aid status, achievements, problems with current courses and other issues that come up in the college years. We try to connect them with appropriate supports to tackle any challenges that arise. Because many of our students over the years have started in junior colleges or have transferred during college, we often advise on college selection. We have even done college tours. Barbara Gstalder and Herbert Gstalder, and Steve and Patty Gstalder mentor New York area students. Chris and Ed Webler, and Kristen and Mike Watson mentor students in the Waukegan, Illinois area.
We are supported entirely by private donations. 100% of all donated funds support the Humanas students.