The 2026 Y.O.U. Staff Educational Scholarship Winners
Congratulations to this year’s recipients of the Carol Rivchun Development (C.R.E.D.) Fund Employee Scholarship — Rochelle Bowser, Bonnie Huston, Lauren Salamon and Amanda Fogerty!
Youth Opportunities Unlimited began the scholarship in 2019 to allow full-time staff to pursue professional development opportunities. Each year, staff members apply to support an education of their choosing. Nearly 30 staff members have received the scholarship since its inception. This opportunity is in addition to the professional development funds available to all full-time staff each year.
The C.R.E.D. Fund, established through a generous donation from the Swaminathan and Garg Foundation, is administered by College Now, a Cleveland-based non-profit that specializes in designing and delivering educational funding opportunities. Special thanks to former Y.O.U. President & CEO Carol Rivchun and Foundation Founder and Y.O.U. Board Member Sanjay Garg. The scholarship is named after Rivchun, who led Y.O.U. from 1998 to 2018 and strongly advocated for continuing education of her staff.
Here is what our staff members are planning with their 2026 scholarships:
Rochelle Bowser, Manager of CCMEP — Social Work Licensure through Cleveland State University
With her Social Work license, Rochelle will expand upon her experience and strengthen how she supports both participants and staff, providing her a stronger framework for case management and problem-solving. “I chose this path because it directly aligns with the work I’m already doing and the population we serve. Every day I’m working with youth facing real barriers, and I want to make sure I’m approaching that work with the right foundation.”
Amanda Fogerty, Executive Coordinator — Board Source's Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consultants
Through her certificate, Amanda will learn best practices for board meetings and board governance that will help the Y.O.U. board continue to improve. Participating in the virtual peer learning will allow her to hear different perspectives. “The opportunity to talk with people who work in similar roles with organizations across the county is what made me want to enroll.”
Bonnie Huston, Controller — Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional Training Program by BDO
Bonne’s program will help her remain current with the most up-to-date information in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), internal controls, budgeting, Form 990 information and other details needed in her role. Always looking to improve, this will provide her more tools in her toolbox. “I feel that this course will help me with my work at Y.O.U. and will assist me to take my work to the next level.”
Lauren Salamon, Career Readiness Facilitator — Workforce and Career Development Certification Training through TAD Grants
Lauren will earn the following certifications — Certified Workforce Development Professional (National Association of Workforce Professionals), Certified Career Services Provider (National Career Development Association) and Global Career Development Facilitator (Center for Credentialing & Education). The live training sessions will expand her knowledge and network of workforce development and career planning. “I find this training will enhance my ability to assist young people in making career-oriented decisions as well as strengthen my ability to create new curriculum materials.”
During a special luncheon celebration, this year’s winners shared how they will spend their educational funds. The 2025 winners also joined to share how they spent their funds over the last year.
Previous winners:
Molly Feghali, Director of Training, Learning & Impact — Financial Success for Nonprofits Certificate from Cornell
Molly enhanced her knowledge in key areas such as financial analysis, budgeting, fundraising and strategic nonprofit governance. She has already applied her new knowledge to key budget projects.
Candice Himes, Director of Human Resources & Talent Management — Certified Workplace Mediator & Trainer in Conflict Resolution
Candice’s certificate allowed her to grow her skills in helping mediate conflicts in the workplace, directly applying to her role in Human Resources.
Gloria Otis, Career Readiness Facilitator — Leadership Program
Gloria’s program allowed her to grow as a leader, providing more skills and tools to adapt her leadership style to the situation. She is already utilizing this new knowledge through her work.