DASCI April 2024 Fund Drive

Dear DASCI Friends and Supporters,

For the past two decades DASCI has not wavered in its mission to foster cooperation and goodwill among Dominicans, other Caribbean peoples and fellow Americans. One of the key tenants of our mission is to promote education which we do in the form of scholarships to needy students in Dominica and St. Lucie County, Florida. Over the years 135 students have benefited from our work with your help.

As we go into this coming year we are reaching out to strengthen our finances so we can continue providing this much needed support to our youth.

I am appealing to you to please join me in making a donation (no amount is too small). For those of you in the work-force please remember company-gift matching. Consider sending the attached solicitation letter to people in your network (business colleagues, neighbors, family, co-workers and friends) to help us continue this great work.

On behalf of the myself and the DASCI board we thank you in advance for any and all you are able to do.

Pat David

President of DASCI (www.dasci.org)

Press Release - March 2024

DASCI Launches 2024 Application Cycle for Scholarships Awards to Students in Dominica

Dominica America Scholarship and Culture, Inc. (DASCI) is accepting applications for scholarship assistance from Primary School graduates in Dominica who will start Secondary School in the 2024-2025 school year. DASCI has selected the following thirteen (13) Primary Schools to participate in this year’s Scholarship Program: Roosevelt Douglas, Woodford Hill and Temple SDA in the North Zone, Bagatelle, Wotten Waven and St. Luke's in the South Zone, Belles, Delices and Grand Fond in the East Zone and Salisbury, St. Martin Primary, St. Mary's Primary, and Campbell in the West Zone. A minimum of twenty (20) scholarships will be awarded to deserving applicants this year. Applications must be emailed or posted by May 1, 2024.

Schools Principals play a crucial role in facilitating the application process for their students. For this reason, Principals of the thirteen (13) named Primary Schools have already been notified of this opportunity for scholarship aid for students transitioning to High School.

Dominica America Scholarship & Culture, Inc. (DASCI) is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization mostly comprised of Dominicans. The organization has been awarding scholarships to Primary School graduates in Dominica since 2007 and, to date, has awarded 117 scholarships valued at US$ 72,950. Scholarships are open to students in need of financial assistance who meet the requirements set out in the application.

“DASCI members and supporters are motivated and committed to continue helping students in need” said Patricia David, President of DASCI.

Every year, the organization invites students from a select number of Primary Schools to apply. Different schools from different school zones are chosen each year so that, over time, all schools will have an opportunity for their students to participate in the Scholarship Program.

The application form and relevant information are available on the DASCI website at www.DASCI.org.

This press release was also featured here: DASCI opens applications for 2024-2025 scholarships to Dominican students

Press Release - June 2023

Thirty one (31) students from eight (8) primary schools in Dominica will now find it easier to attend secondary school this year, thanks to the Dominica America Scholarship & Culture Inc (DASCI).

At its virtual awards ceremony held earlier this month, DASCI presented the students with scholarships valued at US$750 (~$2K EC) each to further their secondary education for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.

DASCI is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization mostly comprised of Dominicans living in Florida. Every year, the organization invites students from a select number of Primary Schools to apply for scholarships. A number of schools from various school zones are chosen each year so that, over time, all schools will have an opportunity for their students to participate in the Scholarship Program.

This is DASCI’s 20th anniversary year. Due to membership fundraising and a generous gift from Mr. Hendricks Ismael, a fellow Dominican, and his wife Lottie Walton, DASCI was able to give scholarships to a record 31 students this year. The 2023-2024 scholarship recipients from Dominica are from the following primary schools: San Sauveur - six (6), Ebenezer SDA - three (3), Wesley - four (4), Wills Strathmore Stevens - seven (7), Trafalgar - one (1), Tête Morne - four (4), Warner - two (2), and Jones Beaupierre - four (4). The names of the students and school principals will be posted on www.DASCI.org.

School principals play a critical role in facilitating the application process for their students. Mr. Dario Frank of the Wills Strathmore Stevens Primary School had this to say about the scholarship, “our students are very diligent and hard working and the funds that they’ve received from your organization will be instrumental in the advancement of their education.”

DASCI has been awarding scholarships to Primary School graduates bound for Secondary School in Dominica since 2007 and, to date, has awarded 118 such scholarships with a combined value of US $72,950 /EC$197,150.

DASCI is committed to investing in the education of young people and looks forward to continuing the work.

Press Release – October 2022

DASCI CELEBRATES 16 YEARS OF INVESTING IN THE FUTURE AS IT SURPASSES 100 SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS TO DESERVING STUDENTS

 

Since 2007, the Dominica-America Scholarship and Culture, Inc. (DASCI, for short) has helped 104 deserving students in need of financial assistance to achieve their educational goals. Eighty-six (86) students starting their secondary school careers in Dominica have received US$49,700 in scholarship aid and 18 college-bound students from St. Lucie County high schools in Florida have received scholarship awards totaling US$15,500.

Summer of 2022 marked a high point in DASCI’S history, with the organization awarding 21 scholarships to students in Dominica (20) and Port St Lucie, Florida (1). This record-breaking achievement was made possible by the dedication of its members, the consistency of community support and the generosity of the Hendricks Ismael Family of Port St. Lucie for whom this year’s Dominica awards were named.

Accomplishing great things together has been the guiding principle and driving force behind the efforts of this small, all-volunteer, non-profit organization mostly comprised of Dominicans living in Florida. From its inception, DASCI has been laser-focused on education. By using membership dues to pay for the organization’s operating expenses, DASCI has been able to direct all donations and proceeds from fundraising activities to its Scholarship Program.

Following the 2017 island-wide devastation wrought by Hurricane Maria in Dominica, DASCI undertook a special Hurricane Relief fund drive and raised just over US$10,000. Using these funds, DASCI was able to deliver 1200 backpacks stocked with a variety of school supplies to students at 10 different primary schools in Dominica.

DASCI’S focus on education is borne out of a belief in the incredible power of education to change lives and communities for the better. The scholarships awarded by DASCI are a small but worthy investment in our collective future. DASCI members take great pride and satisfaction in this endeavor.

Anyone wishing to make a financial contribution to this worthy cause can do so on-line at www.dasci.org or by mailing a check or money order to:

DASCI, P.O. Box 360246, Melbourne FL 32936-0246.