“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

Scholarship key and cap
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Lois Turner Allen Founder CEO

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.


Meet Our Team

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

How Can You Help
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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

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Program expansion

new scholarship scope

Supporting diversity