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The mission of the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill (O.N.E.)/Barnes Scholarship program is to provide monetary and social support for Edgehill community residents while attending school. People who receive scholarships must live in or have familial ties to the Edgehill community and must be accepted or presently enrolled in an accredited college or post-high school education program. Recipients are chosen based on need and previous involvement in the community. The scholarship raises hope for many students who might otherwise think that higher education is beyond their financial capabilities. The program provides each student with a yearly scholarship. In addition to funds, each recipient is provided with a partner who maintains contact with the student throughout the academic year. The O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Program is a project developed by the Organized Neighbors of Edgehill in conjunction with the late, Reverend Bill Barnes, social activist, and minister for thirty (30) years at Edgehill United Methodist Church. This program has been operating in the Edgehill community of Nashville since 1995. In that first year, $500 was divided among several recipients. Most recently, we were able to provide students with a total of $24,000.00 for the school year. The scholarship program is funded solely by individual contributors and church donations. Being administered by volunteers, ALL contributed funds go to students. The O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship Committee is composed of former recipients, members of O.N.E., and other interested persons, including members of Belmont United Methodist Church. Volunteers are recruited on a regular basis to act as partners, assist in the awards ceremonies, and serve on the committee. Over the lifetime of the scholarship program, we have awarded students enrolled in a variety of higher education institutions including Belmont University, Yale University, Nashville State Technological School, Morgan State University, Morehouse College, Princeton, Fisk, Tennessee State University and Carnegie Mellon University.
“I continue to love my city — through tears and laughter. I rejoice in many long-term friendships and applaud and support all those who work as individuals or in organizations to foster its life”
~To Love a City: A Tribute to Bill Barnes
Our
Future
Over the past few years, changes in the make-up of the Edgehill community have resulted in a decrease in the number of scholarship applications received. To maintain the long- standing tradition and reach of the scholarship, the “Legacy” program was implemented to extend our eligibility criteria to include:
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The children and grandchildren of current residents of the Edgehill community, who have lived in the area for at least five (5) years.
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The children or grandchildren of O.N.E./Barnes scholarship alumni, who graduated and/or completed their course of study.
To further ensure the longevity of the O.N.E./Barnes Scholarship, in 2021 an endowment fund was created. Our goal is for the scholarship program to live on for years to come.
Place holder: Resources for partners and students, online payments, testimonials/student updates, pictures, calendar.
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