Foster care youth gathered at the Iowa State Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 30, 2025, for the annual AMP Day on the Hill. The event opened...
YSS Collegiate Recovery Scholarship Impact
At YSS, our commitment to a lifetime of support goes beyond outpatient services and other recovery programs.
We’re proud to offer the Mary Ann and Jim Black Collegiate Recovery Scholarship, a powerful resource designed to support graduates of Ember Recovery as they pursue higher education or trade programs. This scholarship, created in 2021 by long-time YSS donors Mary Ann and Jim Black, is a vital step in ensuring that our clients have the opportunity to continue growing, learning, and building brighter futures.
For Jazmin Melo, the first-ever recipient of the scholarship, it was a life-changing turning point. After waking up in the hospital following a six-month bender, Jazmin knew it was time to seek help. “I was so sad I had done this to myself, but the feeling soon turned into motivation,” she said.
With support from YSS’s Residential Addiction Treatment Program, Jazmin learned essential coping skills, regained her self-esteem, and developed a renewed sense of hope for the future. Thanks to the scholarship, Jazmin was able to enroll at Mercy College in Des Moines, where she’s now working toward her dream of becoming a registered nurse. “I want to stay sober so I can continue to live happily,” Jazmin shares, filled with optimism for the future.
Trinity and Michael, 2022 recipients of the scholarship, are using their opportunities to build brighter futures.
Trinity, who overcame addiction through YSS, is now studying astronomy at Des Moines Area Community College. “Without YSS, I would not be the person I am today,” she shared.
Michael, a graduate of YSS’s Francis Lauer program, is pursuing his passion for barbering and hopes to inspire others in recovery. “I want to share my story and help others,” he said.
In 2023, the scholarship continued to support deserving individuals like Nyssa and Patrick, who both graduated from Ember Recovery’s residential treatment program.
Nyssa, who is working toward a degree in psychology at Iowa Western Community College, said, “The scholarship makes things a lot easier” as she continues her education.
Patrick, now studying at Palomar College in California, plans to become a teacher and therapist, using his personal recovery experience to help others. “This scholarship will change my life,” Patrick said, excited for the opportunities it will provide.
The stories of Jazmin, Trinity, Michael, Nyssa, and Patrick highlight the incredible impact of the Mary Ann and Jim Black Collegiate Recovery Scholarship. It’s helping individuals who’ve faced addiction challenges move forward with purpose and dedication, achieving their educational and career goals.
For Mary Ann and Jim Black, the scholarship represents their hope for these students’ futures: “We hope they will continue to take positive steps forward and contribute to the community. That’s what we’re trying to achieve with this scholarship,” Jim Black explains.
With the support of this scholarship, YSS alumni are not only rebuilding their lives but also giving back to their communities, creating a ripple effect of hope and transformation.
Other News
The ballroom at the Gateway Hotel in Ames was filled with hope, opportunity, and lettuce as YSS hosted its 2025 Recognition Luncheon on Jan. 31....