by Brooklynn Lambert | May 5, 2026 | News
Blog written by DRDFS Communications Manager, Brooklynn Lambert
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year’s theme from Mental Health America, “More Good Days, Together,” is a powerful reminder that mental health is not just about getting through difficult moments. It is about creating more moments where people feel supported, balanced, and able to thrive. A good day can look different for everyone, but for many students, it starts with knowing they are not facing everything on their own.
At Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, we see the determination and drive our scholars bring to their goals every day. They are managing school, work, family responsibilities, and the pressure of planning for what comes next. For many, the path to higher education also comes with financial stress and uncertainty. These realities can make it harder to experience those “good days,” even as they continue to push forward.
The idea of having more good days is not about perfection or constant happiness. It is about making space for students to feel supported in ways that are real and meaningful. For some, a good day might mean feeling confident walking into a test. For others, it might mean having a moment to rest without guilt, or having someone check in and truly listen. These moments matter, and they add up.
Our scholars show us what resilience looks like, but resilience should not mean doing everything alone. Creating more good days, together, means recognizing that support systems play a critical role in student success. When students feel seen, heard, and valued beyond their academic performance, they are better able to navigate challenges and stay connected to their goals.
There are simple ways we can all help create more good days for students. Taking the time to ask how they are doing and being ready to listen. Reminding them that their worth is not defined by a single outcome. Encouraging balance and making space for rest. Connecting them to resources when they need additional support. These actions may seem small, but they can shape how a student experiences their day and their future.
As a community of donors, educators, families, and supporters, we have an opportunity to be part of this effort. Every scholarship we provide helps reduce financial stress, but our impact goes beyond that. When we show up with empathy and understanding, we help create an environment where students can have more good days and build a stronger foundation for their well-being.
Our scholars are working toward bright futures, and they deserve to get there in a way that supports both their ambitions and their mental health. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we are reminded that more good days are possible when we work together to support the whole student!
by Brooklynn Lambert | Apr 21, 2026 | News
Blog written by Communications Manager, Brooklynn Lambert
This time of year, it can feel like everything is building toward one moment. Graduation is around the corner, plans are starting to take shape, and one of the most common questions seniors hear is, “What’s next?”
For some students, that answer comes easily. For others, it’s a lot more complicated.
There is a quiet pressure that shows up in these final months of high school. The expectation to have a clear plan, to feel confident in it, and to be ready for whatever comes after. But the reality is, many students are stepping into this next chapter with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. They are making big decisions while still figuring out who they are and what they want.
That in-between space after high school ends but before everything else fully begins can feel overwhelming. In those moments, what matters most is not having everything figured out. It is having support.
At DRDFS, that support does not stop at graduation. It continues throughout a student’s entire post-secondary journey. Through our coaching model, students stay connected to guidance, encouragement, and real, consistent support as they navigate new environments, responsibilities, and challenges.
That support can take many forms. It might be someone checking in to make sure a student is staying on track, offering advice when plans shift, or simply being there to listen when things feel uncertain. Scholarships are one piece of the puzzle, but they are only part of what we do. What truly makes a difference is the ongoing connection and the sense that someone is in your corner from start to finish.
There is no single right path after high school. Some students head to college, others enter the workforce, and many adjust their plans along the way. Growth is not always linear, and that is okay. What matters is having the confidence to keep moving forward and the support to keep going when things get challenging.
As seniors take their next steps, it is worth remembering that no one does it alone. Behind every student is a network of people who have helped them get to this point. With the right support system in place, students are not just prepared to start their next chapter. They are supported all the way through it, until they reach their goals and beyond.
by Brooklynn Lambert | Mar 20, 2026 | News
At the 13th Annual Celebration Luncheon, Taylor Smith took the stage as a powerful example of what’s possible when students are given the support, guidance, and opportunity to succeed. A senior at Clintondale High School and a member of the Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars Class of 2026, Taylor shared a story that resonated deeply with everyone in the room – not just because of where she’s going, but because of how she got there.
Growing up in a loving and supportive family, Taylor always knew she was expected to do well in school, graduate, and attend college. But like many students, she wasn’t sure how to turn those expectations into a clear path forward. She had goals but lacked the knowledge to bridge the gap between dreaming about her future and taking action.
That changed during her sophomore year when she joined Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. With encouragement from her counselor and support from her advisor, Taylor began to learn the “how” behind college applications, financial aid, and choosing the right school. What once felt uncertain began to feel possible.
Through campus visits and hands-on experiences, Taylor gained clarity about what she wanted in a college environment. Visiting Michigan State University helped her realize she was drawn to a large campus setting, while a conversation with representatives from the University of Michigan during Apply Day helped solidify her academic path. Learning more about engineering programs, coursework, and scholarship opportunities made her decision clear.
This fall, Taylor will attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where she plans to major in Computer Science Engineering.
While her college decision is a major milestone, Taylor emphasized that the most meaningful part of her experience has been the confidence she gained along the way. Through workshops, mentorship, leadership development, and consistent encouragement, she learned how to advocate for herself, step outside of her comfort zone, and build connections with others. She came to understand that asking for help is not a weakness, but a strength.
Taylor also reflected on the impact of the relationships she built through the program, especially with her advisor, Ms. Carroll, who she described as a constant source of support and encouragement. Having someone who believed in her and pushed her to grow opened doors to new opportunities and helped her stay focused on her goals.
Her journey is a reminder that when opportunity is paired with strong support systems, students are empowered to reach their full potential. Taylor expressed deep gratitude to the donors, advisors, and coaches who invest in students like her, recognizing that their support goes far beyond financial assistance – it builds confidence, direction, and opportunity.
As she looks ahead to this next chapter, Taylor carries with her the lessons, skills, and support she gained through Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars. Her story reflects a transformation from uncertainty to clarity, and from aspiration to action. The future is hers, and she is ready for it.
Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is designed to do exactly what Taylor’s story illustrates. Through dedicated coaches, committed high school advisors, hands-on workshops, and meaningful campus visits, students gain more than just information. They gain clarity, direction, and confidence. It is not only about helping students find a pathway after high school but also ensuring they feel prepared and confident in the choices they make. That combination of support and opportunity is what makes the DRDFS difference, and it is what empowers students like Taylor to move forward with purpose.
by Brooklynn Lambert | Feb 13, 2026 | News
Blog post written by DRDFS Communications Manager, Brooklynn Lambert
When people think about educational nonprofits, they often think about scholarships. A check awarded. A tuition bill reduced. A financial gap closed. At Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, scholarships are only part of the story. The true investment, and the true impact, lies in the Next Level Scholars Program.
The Next Level Scholars Program begins in a student’s sophomore year of high school and continues through post-secondary degree attainment. It is not a one-time award or a single year of support. It is a long-term commitment to guidance, accountability, exposure, and opportunity at every critical milestone.
Over the years, DRDFS has served more than 1,500 scholars through this program. Today, students across Southeast Michigan are actively engaged in experiences that prepare them not only to enroll in college, but to persist and graduate.
For many of them, college is uncharted territory. 75% of scholars will be the first in their families to attend a post-secondary institution. For these students, the path to higher education is not simply competitive, it is unfamiliar. Applications, financial aid forms, campus visits, networking events, and long-term planning can feel overwhelming without someone walking alongside them.
The Next Level Scholars Program exists to be that guide.
In the early years of the program, students participate in workshops and campus visits that transform college from an abstract idea into a tangible goal. They sit in admissions presentations, ask current college students questions, learn how financial aid works, and begin to see themselves in spaces that once felt out of reach.
As they enter their senior year and the months that follow graduation, support intensifies. One-on-one coaching becomes a cornerstone of the experience. Students receive individualized guidance through applications, FAFSA completion, scholarship searches, and decision-making. They are encouraged to advocate for themselves, to ask questions, and to step confidently into new environments. The results are meaningful because the support is meaningful.
Every DRDFS scholar graduates high school on time, and nearly nine out of ten enroll in post-secondary education within one year of graduation. Even more telling, the vast majority persist from their first year of college into their second, a milestone where many students nationwide quietly fall away.
These outcomes are not the result of chance. They are the product of sustained relationships, early preparation, and consistent encouragement.
And the support does not stop once a student steps onto a college campus. Scholars continue receiving check-ins, coaching, and intervention when challenges arise. When unexpected obstacles could derail progress, DRDFS remains present. The message is clear: you are not navigating this alone.
Over time, students who once needed guidance become graduates, and often return as mentors, volunteers, and leaders within the organization. This is the ripple effect of a program built not only on access, but on persistence.
When you support Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, you are investing in far more than tuition assistance. You are investing in a structured pathway that guides students from uncertainty to confidence, from application to enrollment, from enrollment to graduation.
You are investing in:
- Multi-year college access programming
- One-on-one coaching during pivotal transitions
- Campus experiences that expand vision
- Financial literacy and academic preparation
- Ongoing support that keeps students on track
Access alone is not enough. Students succeed when they are prepared, supported, and surrounded by people who believe in their potential long before they believe it themselves.
That is where your dollars go.
They go toward workshops that spark possibility. They go toward conversations that build confidence. They go toward guidance that prevents a setback from becoming a stopping point. They go toward a program that walks beside students, not just to college acceptance, but to degree completion.
And in doing so, they help strengthen families, communities, and the future of Southeast Michigan.
by Brooklynn Lambert | Jan 27, 2026 | News
Blog post written by DRDFS Communications Manager, Brooklynn Lambert
January has a way of making everything feel louder.
New semesters. New expectations. New pressure to “start fresh” and somehow have it all figured out. For many students, this time of year comes with excitement, but also stress, uncertainty, and a lot of questions. At Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, we want to pause the noise for a moment and share a few things we wish every scholar knew as the year begins.
First, January is not about reinventing yourself. You don’t need a brand-new version of you to be successful this semester. You don’t need perfect goals, flawless grades, or a clear picture of the next five years. Showing up, continuing forward, and doing the best you can with what you have right now is enough.
You don’t need to have everything figured out. College and career paths are rarely straight lines. It’s okay if your plans shift, and it’s okay if you’re unsure. Growth often happens in the moments when answers aren’t clear yet.
Asking for help is a strength, not a setback. Whether it’s reaching out to teachers, using school resources, leaning on family, or checking in with your support systems, no one succeeds alone. Needing support doesn’t mean you’re failing – it just means you’re human.
Progress matters more than perfection. Some weeks will feel productive, while others might feel heavy. Both are part of the process. Small steps forward still count, even when they don’t look impressive from the outside.
Being a DRDFS Scholar is not pressure. It’s a belief. This program is not about expectations to be perfect. It’s about the belief that you belong in higher education and that your goals are worth investing in. That belief doesn’t disappear if you stumble or struggle along the way.
For our scholars, we hope this year begins with a little less pressure and a little more confidence in yourself. You’ve already made it this far, and that matters.
For our supporters and community members, this is the reality many students carry into January. Your support helps create space for students to keep going, even when the path feels uncertain.
Here’s to a year that isn’t about becoming someone new, but about continuing to grow into who you already are!
“I grew up without a clue of what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go in life, until I had the opportunity to join Dollars for Scholars my sophomore year of high school. From visiting campuses, to SAT prep, the guidance I received from the program changed my entire outlook.
“From college tours to financial aid, Dollars for Scholars has greatly impacted my path to higher education. As a first generation college student, deciding where I would want to continue my education and figuring out how I would get there was a difficult process. My family and I lacked the time and transportation necessary to visit schools, and this limited me in figuring out my future.
“When joining Dollars for Scholars, I was eager to visit colleges and earn scholarship money. Being able to look at all the different schools with other students I could relate to was so reassuring. Dollars for Scholars was able to answer my questions about the ins & outs of post-secondary education, as well assist me with applications. This extra help was so motivating.
“Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars is a life-changing program. Before high school, I was going down a path that if most kids took, they’d end up either dropping out of school or going to jail. Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars helped inspire me to get on a better path by showing me how to prepare for college. Hearing other students’ stories made me feel like I could be successful both in high school and post-secondary education.