The Point Foundation was founded in 2001 with a mission to “provide financial support, mentoring and hope to meritorious students who are marginalized because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.” In June 2008, the organization had 90 currently enrolled scholars and 42 alumni.
When Hillary Gleason was in high school, she Googled “scholarships” to see what was out there.
She discovered the Point Foundation, an organization that funds higher education for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, and she found a connection, having “come out” while living in the close-knit town of Winchendon.
“I grew up in a small community that’s a little more conservative. Also my family is very catholic,” she said. “When I came out to that, it was harder to reconcile with religion. But I have a great family and great friends.”
As a result of her involvement in the LGBT community at Clark University — where she will be a sophomore this fall —Gleason became one of the Foundation’s 27 scholars for 2008-09. She was chosen from over 1,500 applicants and will receive financial support and mentorship in a chosen field.
For Gleason, that field is psychology. She hopes to someday get her doctorate “to help families who are struggling with [LGBT] issues, and especially to reconcile that with religious differences,” she said.
In return for the scholarship, averging $13,200, the Point Foundation expects its scholars to attend a conference, held this year in Chicago, and complete a community service project related to LGBT issues.
