“For I know the plans I have for you, saith the Lord. Plans for good and not eveil, to give you a future and a hope.”~Jeremiah 29:11
Drive-By Scholarship Foundation
Helping Fund Non-Traditional Students Since 2005
Organization History
The Drive-By Scholarship Foundation was organized in 2005 in Ashdown, Arkansas. The Foundation was born of a vision given to Lois Laverne Turner-Allen by her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The vision is to take students ages 18-25 from hanging out on the corners to reconnecting them with their dreams by re-entering the classrooms. This foundation seeks to offer career counseling services, scholarships, tutoring, and guidance to youth offenders who do not qualify for federal or state aid because of felonies or multiple academic failures. From providing scholarship funds, paying old fines, to trade school fees, this organization works with law enforcement and the court system to put students back on track.
The organization started with the original “Drive-Bys”: students I taught during my years as an educator. “I knew that education would be life altering for the students who faced obstacles early in life. This scholarship sought to fulfill a need in this and countless communities where students are looking for a second chance.”
The organization began as a discipline policy. When Mrs. Allen noticed students had not shown up for school, the G.E.D program or tutoring, she would place a folding table and chairs in the back of her brother’s truck and go find her students. Wherever she found them, on the corner, at the store, at home, they would have class. After a few embarrassing encounters, the young people knew it was no longer a joke, and they soon began signing agreements to show up for tutoring.
Advisory Board
Board of Directors
Lois Allen, Founder
Shirley Williams, Administrative Director
Marilyn French
Debra Northcross
Phyllis Hamilton
Cornielus White
Rev. Willie James (deceased)
Staff
Shirley Williams, Administrative Director
Annie Turner, Financial Director
Jessica McCollough, Field Operations
Lois Allen, Founder Communications
Torlanda Northcross
Andrew Brown III
Lanisha Fricks
Sharon Smith
Dr. Brian Matthews
Corey Brown
Sharon Smith
Evester Deloney
Linda Walker
Olivia Robinson
Fred Ellis
Evelyn Bell
About Our Organization
We are a 501-C-3 tax exempt agency. We host one fundraising event per year in the form of a scholarship banquet or community theatrical production in addition to solicitation letters.
ORGANIZATION NAME & ADDRESS
Drive By Scholarship Foundation
Po Box 751
Ashdown, AR
71822-0751
EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN) / TAX ID
Nine digit number assigned by the IRS to identify a company
20-2578635
Scholarship grants for indigent community members
of supplementary funding from the private sector
of funds to support free learning courses and workshops
Our Journey
Through the Years
Founding Year
Share your company timeline
Year 5
Start with your origin or founding
Year 10
Mark important milestones
Today
Share challenges and wins
Our Completed Projects
In addition to in-kind donations from the community, each year we host a scholarship banquet fundraiser or a community theatrical production to raise funds for our scholarship. Due to the nature of our scholarship, recipients are not publicly listed, but can be provided at the request of potential donors.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDRAISING BANQUETS/ THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS
2009-Speaker: Donald Northcross
2010-Speaker: Trace Northcross
2011-Speaker: Linda Walker
2012-Speaker: Kevin Torrence
2013-Speaker: Tonya Cursh Anderson
2014-Speaker: Curtis Winfrey Jr.
2015- Theatrical Production: “Grace and Mercy”
2016-Scholarship Only Year: Texarkana College
2017-Speaker: Earnest Rhone
2018-Speaker: Dr. Dondre Harris
2019-Theatrical Production: “Round Won”
2020-Scholarship Only Year
2021-Scholarship Only Year: Premier Academy
2022-Scholarship Only Year: University of Central Arkansas, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, University of Arkansas at Little Rock
2023-Speaker: Scholarship Only Year: University of Central Arkansas
Drive by scholarship foundation
If you are interested in supporting our foundation, please contact us via the method of your choice.
P.O. BOX 751
ASHDOWN, ARKANSAS 71822
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Our Next Focus
Program expansion
new scholarship scope
Supporting diversity