The Cennea Thorla Guidry Scholarship Foundation
Supporting economic autonomy and personal empowerment for domestic abuse survivors through educational opportunity
Now Accepting Scholarship Applications! Click Here for More Information!
About US
This Foundation is named in honor of my sister, Cennea Thorla Guidry, a 29-year-old wife and mother of two young children who was murdered on January 7, 2001, outside of Lafayette, LA. Cennea knew her life was in danger, confiding in multiple people the week before her death that she believed she would be killed. She was actively working on plans to take her children and leave her marriage when her body was discovered in a ditch one mile from her home.
When Cennea died, she left 2 children, 5 and 10 years old at the time. As the years went on and I had a son of my own, it occurred to me that they were robbed of knowing the generous, vibrant, adoring woman who was their mother. Murder has a way of diminishing a person until all that appears to be left of them is their victimhood. My sister, though, has always been and will forever be so much more than the manner of her death. I want her children and the world to know Cennea as the compassionate, loving, human force that she was.
I last saw my sister over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2000. She told me her marriage was essentially over and she was excited about her plans to start a new life in which she could be more independent. She was particularly excited about the opportunity to return to school. Cennea had not finished high school, and her inability to support herself and her children proved a substantial obstacle to creating a life free of abuse.
This Foundation is a realization of Cennea's dreams of independence and a life free from abuse. We are committed to supporting domestic abuse survivors of all ages who have left those relationships further their educations so they are able to move towards economic autonomy and personal empowerment. We provide scholarships not only to cover the traditional costs of education like books, tuition and fees, but other expenses that frequently prevent students from completing programs such as childcare, tutoring, technology and transportation.
As a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our team is small and dedicated to our mission. This work, these scholarships, can be the difference between life and death not only for the recipients, but can directly change the course of lives for generations to come. We welcome your involvement in any capacity that resonates with you: donor, fundraiser, volunteer, or ambassador. Together, we can help create different opportunities than what Cennea was able to access during her lifetime. She would be so proud.
Our MISSION
The Cennea Thorla Guidry Scholarship Foundation is committed to supporting educational opportunities for domestic abuse survivors of all ages moving towards economic autonomy and personal empowerment.
LATEST NEWS
In honor of what would have been my sister, Cennea’s 52nd birthday, The Cennea Thorla Guidry Scholarship Foundation (TCTGSF) is pleased to announce its inaugural funding cycle!
Applications received between November 1, 2023, and December 1, 2023 will receive a determination by December 15, 2023. Applications can be found at the “Apply Now” link on the website, www.tctgsf.com. The Foundation serves child and adult domestic abuse survivors living in program-based housing (long-term shelters, transitional living services, foster care, etc.) by funding not only traditional educational expenses such as tuition and fees, but other expenses that frequently derail educational attainment such as technology, childcare, and transportation. The Foundation also recognizes the role of extracurricular activities in healing for child survivors, offering financial support to cover associated costs.
To apply, please go to the Apply Now link at the top of the page. Please note that we only accept applications from agencies providing program-based housing to applicants, and not the individuals themselves. If you have questions, please contact Shelbra at 505-456-0852 or tctgsf@gmail.com.
I’m at once proud and humbled that TCTGSF has arrived at meeting its mission of supporting economic autonomy and personal empowerment for domestic abuse survivors through educational opportunity. Ten months from incorporation and we are preparing to award our first round of scholarships! I am grateful beyond measure for the support we’ve received from our community: without it, meeting this mission would be impossible.
As the end of 2023 approaches and TCTGSF is on the brink of making its first awards, would you consider contributing to the Foundation? Donations are tax-deductible and 100% of all gifts received now until the end of 2023 will be marked for scholarships.
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=W6FLWF5RDCGU6
Also, if your company provides any donation-matching opportunities, I welcome and appreciate the chance to stretch your charitable contribution.
Cennea’s birthday is always bittersweet. Her absence and its resounding reverberations shift from being the background noise of my life to an unavoidable, constant sensation that roots in my body and shadows my every thought and move. Some years, it’s a heavy day. This year, though, her birthday feels lighter knowing that, through the Foundation, other people will have the opportunity to reimagine their lives free of abuse and with greater opportunities for independence and empowerment.
SUBSCRIBE
Donate with QR
The Cennea Thorla Guidry Scholarship Foundation is committed to supporting educational opportunities for domestic abuse survivors of all ages moving towards economic autonomy and personal empowerment.
Our Blogs
