The Road Forward Scholarship Fund was founded in October 2021 to fulfill the dream of higher education for economically disadvantaged local East End high school seniors who are engaged in their community. It was a project of the Social Justice Committee of Temple Adas Israel in Sag Harbor and became an independent 501(c)(3) in August 2023.
While working with high school seniors on their college essays, we learned that many students on the East End of Long Island needed financial support to consider post-high school education. These are the children of families we interact with every day, whose hard work in the service industries helps keep the East End vibrant.
Since 2022 we have awarded 34 scholarships. While our initial scholarships were one-year awards, research showed that students had the best chance for success if they receive support each year they are in school. Without continued support, many students are forced to drop out for lack of funds.
As many of our students are first generation college and children of immigrants, we actively mentor them about leaving home for the first time and adjusting to college life. We also work with local area sponsors to offer internships and financial literacy programs for the students.
U.S. News & World Report published their 2025 annual report on U.S. high schools. Based on an analysis derived from this report, in the five schools we serve, (Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton), an average of 46% of high school seniors were considered economically disadvantaged (this is up from an average of 44% in 2024). This is our application pool.
