The Alona C. Simmons Scholarship Fund

Financial assistance for education is available for low-income high school seniors pursuing a college education, for high school dropouts prepared to reenter the school system to pursue a GED or a trade, and for single mothers hoping to advance there educational careers.

The fund is named in honor of Alona C. Simmons who passed away unexpectedly November 7, 2010.  Alona was the daughter of Simuel Whitfield Simmons, for whom the SWS Organization is named, and the mother of Natasha Rodgers, SWS Executive Director and Founder.  Alona began volunteering by her father’s side in the 1960s, helping less fortunate people in Newark, New Jersey.  Her charitable work continued throughout her life.  She was committed to the SWS Organization since its inception, paying special attention to SWS’s youth programs.  To honor and cherish her memory, the SWS Scholarship Fund has been aptly renamed after Ms. Simmons.

Expectant and new mothers are provided with free items such as baby food, formula, diapers, baby cereal, baby furniture, and more to help babies get the best possible start. These supplies also help expectant and new mothers nurture themselves and their babies so that the time from pregnancy through infancy can be a special occasion.

Furniture is a “big ticket’ item that many in the community cannot afford. Through our donor network, we locate the furniture items needed, and match individuals or families with donors. Donated items include beds, couches and sofas, dining sets, dressers, and more.

Through clothing drives, we collect clothing for school-aged children, families, and men and women re-entering the workplace. Clothing is distributed throughout the year. We also hold special monthly give-aways between April and November. Needy members of the community can attend the give-away and take what they need for free. Give-away items include: clothing, shoes, toiletries, and even household items.

Each week, at least three families in our community are given a week’s supply of groceries and toiletries. Grocery items include hot and cold cereal, canned goods, bread, pasta, condiments, rice, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and more. Getting food to the neediest helps ensure that families get a nutritious meal in the morning and a hot meal before bedtime and children have their basic food needs met.

We have a Thanksgiving Basket Drive that provides families with food to create a complete Thanksgiving holiday meal. Baskets include a turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, vegetables, rice, bread, and dessert. During the December holidays, we have a Holiday Gift Drive. During the season of giving and sharing, less fortunate children and families in our community receive new gifts and toys from our donors. Some of these children may never get a gift otherwise. We also create an opportunity for children in our donor families to give back by volunteering to distribute the gifts.

We collect a range of school supplies to donate to needy school-aged children in the community. We supply notebooks, pencils, pens, dictionaries, calculators, backpacks, highlighters, scissors and more. These supplies help ensure that students have the tools necessary for a successful school year.

The Prom is eagerly anticipated by many high school seniors, but not by those who do not have the means to purchase formal wear. The Prom Gown Program has two components. The first component involves custom made dresses given to selected students in our youth programs. A professional seamstress/designer makes and donates the dresses. The second component provides gently used prom gowns and suits that are distributed to students at a local high school.

At-risk boys aged 10-14 and 14-18 are taught how to make good choices that will shape their future. Participants are mentored in basic life skills such as: how to properly wear clothes, do laundry, and tie a tie, and how to be successful in school and in the workforce. Participants are also invited to attend networking events in the community where they meet individuals who can support them in achieving their goals.