History
Started in 1996 as a way to send a message to African-American
youth in Tacoma-Pierce County, the Elizabeth Wesley Youth Merit
Incentive Award Program is expanding each year. The message is simple:
Striving for excellence in school is cool. There's nothing wrong
with wanting a college education or working hard to get a good paying
job.
The founders of the program realized that encouraging and rewarding
student achievement is the best way to ensure it will thrive. During
the program's first year, five students received awards. In 2002,
there were 75 award recipients.
The program's namesake, Elizabeth Wesley, moved to Tacoma in 1945
where she and her husband joined Bethlehem Baptist Church. In 1953,
they helped organize Shiloh Baptist Church. Mother Wesley's commitment
to children is remembered by the entire community. This program
honors her legacy by rewarding our youth for academic achievement
and community service.
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