December 1, 2009

Charles Martin “Touch a Life” Scholarship Campaign: Close to Our Goal

For those living in the depths of poverty, education can provide a ladder out. But it’s not easy to attain, given the ever-rising costs of college tuition. African Americans face an especially daunting challenge, since one in four of all African Americans live in poverty. Even more concerning, one in three African-American children are raised in poverty.

College scholarships are part of the solution, of course. A scholarship means a chance to earn a decent living, and it represents the success of a young student who makes it through high school and aspires to something better. But scholarships are a beginning, not a finish line. Over half of African-American students who make it to college never complete their degrees.

Charles Martin, Executive Director of the YMCA Urban Youth Services program for more than 20 years, understood the many barriers that can result in failure and devoted his life to helping his “kids” succeed. Charles knew how to challenge young people to think about the future. His personal motto was Touch a life every day, and he lived it, helping hundreds of local African-American students go to college and stay there through graduation because of his committed, caring support. Today, you can find many of “Charles’s kids,” as they call themselves, in professional positions throughout our community.

To honor this remarkable man, “Charles’s kids,” friends, colleagues, and others have worked with the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County to create a scholarship in his memory: the Charles Martin “Touch a Life” scholarship.

The first recipient of this $2,500 renewable scholarship was Bryanna J. Bocardo, a Washington High School graduate who is currently attending Notre Dame. For Bryanna and other future recipients, the scholarship provides more than financial support. In the spirit of Charles, a committee of his former ”kids” will work together to mentor recipients just as Charles mentored them.

In response to a fundraising campaign led by Richmond and Virginia Calvin and Phil Byrd, more than $150,000 has been raised to support this new scholarship to date. We’re closing in on our goal of $200,000. Will you help us complete this final step? Your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar through a challenge grant, doubling your ability to make an impact on the lives of deserving local students.

To contribute to the Charles Martin “Touch a Life” Scholarship campaign, you can make a gift online at or call the Community Foundation at (574) 232-0041.