Helene Cody Scholars |
A year-long leadership training program for student leaders of community service projects. Students selected for the Helene Cody Scholars program receive mentoring and funding for a community service project that they design and carry out over the academic year. Scholars will have the opportunity for multi-year support. Upon completion of the program, they are eligible for a $2000 college scholarship their senior year.
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Eligibility
Students who will be sophomores, juniors, and seniors at any Princeton-area high school in the year they intend to complete the project are eligible to apply. We’re looking for good people who want to make a difference. Selection criteria include project idea, leadership experience, volunteer experience, integrity, and passion for helping the community. Each project should be led and managed independently, but students may recruit help from others to carry out their project. Students will qualify for community service hours if they lead or assist in a project.
Program
All selected projects will have access to apply for project funding up to $500 per school year. Each student will be matched with a mentor associated with the Helene Cody Foundation. The mentor will work with the student to design a project, recruit volunteers, and execute the community service project. There will be monthly leadership development sessions (1-2 hours) where students will meet with community leaders to learn leadership and communication skills. At the end of the year, students will prepare a presentation for the Helene Cody Scholars Expo.
Expectations
- Demonstrate good character and integrity as a representative of the Helene Cody Foundation
- Attend at least 8 of the 10 leadership development meetings held on Sunday afternoons at the Princeton Public Library, Cranbury Public Library, or zoom.
- Spend at least 40 hours designing and executing your community service project
- Make a presentation outlining your project and its impact at the Helene Cody Scholars Expo.
- Volunteer at the Helene Cody Cranbury 5K (held on Saturday, September 6th, 2025) or complete 8 hours of administrative tasks for the Helene Cody Foundation
Future Opportunities
- Students will have the opportunity to be considered for financial support over multiple years.
- Students will have the opportunity to become mentors.
- An ideal project would be able to be maintained for multiple years. Scholars will have the opportunity to recommend a successor to take over project leadership.
About the Helene Cody Foundation
The Helene Cody Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of inspiring youth to volunteer in order to better their communities and themselves. It was founded in memory of Princeton High School student and Cranbury resident, Helene Cody (1992-2008), who spent much of her short life volunteering and helping those in need.