Karen and Charles Phillips Charitable Organization awards scholarship to Howard University Student

Solomon Jones is a computer science major at Howard University and scholarship will help him continue his engineering studies

NEW YORK, Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Solomon Jones first met Phillips Charitable Organization board member Eric Garvin when Mr. Garvin received a Community Service Award at the 2011 Black Engineers Award Gala. Solomon was in the audience and remembered Mr. Garvin and followed his career.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130118/DC44735-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130118/DC44735-b)

With two semesters left before he graduates, Solomon has maintained an impressive GPA. The head of the computer science department strongly endorsed Solomon.

Solomon contacted Mr. Garvin about a possible scholarship and to continue on his quest to become an engineer. The Phillips Charitable Organization has focused on disadvantaged students in engineering for several years. The shortage of qualified engineers is a major challenge for economic growth in the United States as more products and services depend on technical innovation. This shift is transforming the job market and the economy and PCO aimed to do its part to help the transformation.

Mr. Garvin quickly contacted the appropriate university administrators and arranged for a grant to be wired to Howard University so Solomon could remain in school and continue his education. Mr. Garvin will continue to mentor Solomon on his way to graduation. Solomon was raised and is supported by his 77-year-old grandmother who would like nothing more than to see her grandson graduate with an engineering degree.

Karen and Charles Phillips Charitable Organization looks forward to seeing Solomon blossom into an innovative engineer that furthers the technology revolution we are all a part of.

OTHER RECENT GRANTS

SINGLE MOTHER OF FOUR GETS A BRIDGE GRANT

Lawana Gilmore is a single mother of four battling lupus in Valdosta, Georgia. Ms. Gilmore has arranged for housing that should become available in the spring but needed a bridge grant to transition over that time frame. The financial weight of caring for four children alone is not insignificant in a challenging job environment. Karen and Phillips Charitable Organization arranged for grants to help with rent and basis subsistence for the family.

SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO COMPLETING NURSING DEGREE

Gracelyn Littlejohn is a single mother of two and attempting to complete her master's degree in nursing with a goal of teaching. Her own challenges with Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer curtailed her previous normal nursing employment so teaching proved a more viable path. However the challenges of medical bills and household expenses as a single mother were overwhelming. Phillips Charitable Organization provided a grant to allow Ms. Littlejohn to complete her education and pursue a teaching career.

Karen and Charles Phillips Charitable Organization is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit foundation providing financial help for single parents, students interested in engineering, and wounded veterans. 100% of the foundation's assets are disbursed directly to grantees. Our charter: urgent cases where a timely bootstrap grant can initiate meaningful change toward a planned recovery. Founded by Charles Phillips, CEO of Infor, and wife Karen Phillips, the foundation has expanded staff to multiple states and awarded over 150 grants.

CONTACT: ERIC GARVIN, +1-888-838-1077

SOURCE Phillips Charitable Organizations