Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia Inc. (YCF) announced the James A. Womeldorff Vocational Development Scholarship, made possible with a donation from Job Squad Inc.
The Vocational Development Scholarship honors former long-time Job Squad Director and CEO James A. Womeldorff.
A scholarship of approximately $2,500 will be awarded annually to West Virginia students in good academic standing with a documented disability.
Students pursuing post-secondary education full-time at a trade, vocational, two-year, or traditional four-year college or university are eligible.
Womeldorff, who served Job Squad Inc. for over 15 years, retired in April 2021. Before he became the CEO of Job Squad, Womeldorff was a multi-termed board member who was instrumental in guiding the company during its formation and early years of operations.
He would go on to become director of operations and eventually the CEO.
“Compassion, leadership and advocacy for those with disabilities was always at the heart of everything Jim was about,” said Travis Kline, current Job Squad CEO. “Jim’s leadership and energy will be sorely missed around here, but his efforts to improve the lives of those with disabilities in West Virginia will carry on with this scholarship in his honor.”
The James A. Womeldorff Vocational Development Scholarship is the second scholarship for disabled students Job Squad has established with YCF.
In 2017, the Brenda B. Hellwig Vocational Development Scholarship was created to honor their founding executive director.
Over the past five years, five students have received a total of $8,000 from the Hellwig Scholarship.
Job Squad is a private, nonprofit organization and community rehabilitation program formed in 1994. The mission of Job Squad is to provide employment services and vocational skill development for individuals who experience barriers to employment related to their disabilities. Federal and state government contracts provide Job Squad the ability to hire people with disabilities for jobs in custodial and grounds maintenance, as well as presort mail.
The establishment of a scholarship endowment fund with YCF requires a minimum donation of $20,000, which donors may achieve over three years. The principal is invested and the earnings provide scholarship dollars — forever. Donors may suggest award criteria and the funds are often named in honor or memory of loved ones.
For more information, please visit YCF’s website at: http://www.ycfwv.org, or call 304-296-3433.
