POST FALLS, Idaho—John Thompson was one of the three recipients of a $4,000 Challenge College scholarship from the Pacific Northwest Regional Council (PNRC) of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) to attend a four-year college or university.

 

Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) sponsored Thompson’s application, and the Home Partnership Foundation, brought to you by IHFA, will contribute an additional one-time $250 grant toward his education in the first year of the scholarship.

 

The scholarship, which was open to eligible participants in low-income housing programs in the Pacific Northwest region, will award $1,000 per year for up to four years and will help Thompson cover tuition costs at the University of Idaho to pursue his dream of majoring in electrical engineering.

 

Thompson graduated from Post Falls High School in 2011 and will start college this fall. He is the son of Rebecca Thompson of Post Falls.

 

“When I won that scholarship it was one of the greatest honors I have ever achieved. Since I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon, and had to work hard for things, it meant a lot to me that I could get help going to school. I felt really honored and cared for,” Thompson said.

 

While in high school, Thompson participated in numerous volunteer activities, such as Toys for Tots, nursing homes visits and doing yard work for elderly neighbors. Additionally, he participated in the Post Falls High School track and swimming teams, the drama club and school band, and was a member of the Mars Rover program in Jr. High, where the teams built robots for a NASA competition. He also worked as a lifeguard at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene.

 

Thompson’s family became Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) participants through IHFA’s Coeur d’Alene office in December 2001. The program helps low-income families and elderly or disabled individuals obtain decent, affordable rental housing.

 

Thompson’s mother enrolled in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, a voluntary program open to HCV participants who want to achieve financial independence, and began working on her goals to become self-sufficient. Then she enrolled in IHFA’s Homeownership Voucher Program, which allowed her to continue to work on other goals even after purchasing a home. Thompson’s sister was also a recipient of a PNRC-NAHRO scholarship.

 

“John’s story illustrates that through hard work and dedication anyone can achieve their goals,” said Julie Williams, IHFA executive vice president. “He and his family are a great example for other participants utilizing IHFA’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, and we’re happy we could assist John with his scholarship application as he goes to school to obtain his degree.”

 

Currently, 224 people are enrolled in the FSS program in IHFA’s four branch offices, located in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene.
 

Idaho Housing and Finance Association, a financial services and housing business organization, improves lives and strengthens Idaho communities by expanding housing opportunities, building self sufficiency, and fostering economic development.