Our Family for Families First

Picerne Military Gives Back

By Leah Etling on May 19, 2012 in Giving, People

John G. Picerne’s desire to give something back to the military families, many of whom who live in Picerne Military Housing properties, was the impetus behind Our Family for Families First, a non-profit that funds educational scholarships for the children and spouses of U.S. Service Members.

The organization was recently feted at the White House after being honored as a winner of the People’s Choice award in the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to celebrate organizations that benefit America’s military families

Maria Montalvo, executive director of Our Family for Families First, told us that receiving the award was overwhelming.

“It was just fantastic not only to be recognized to but see all these other great organizations that are doing such good work, which I think is one of the best things about the Joining Forces program. It’s identifying a lot of resources that are out there for military families,” Montalvo said.

When John Picerne created the Our Family for Families First initiative in 2006, he wanted to do something to impact military families on a very practical level.

“It is important to me that we serve the families of our active-duty Service Members, and continue to be active and dedicated members of the communities we live and work in. My daughters, Alexandra and Caroline, and I, are honored to play a small role in helping military family members attain their educational goals,” Picerne wrote on the organization’s website.

Montalvo explained that the hope is to support the award recipients both financially and emotionally. The foundation stays in touch with those who receive scholarships both to monitor their academic progress but also to offer support and encouragement.

The first class of graduating seniors to receive the awards finished their studies last year and are now moving on to careers and graduate school.

The program provides 11 four-year scholarships annually to exceptional students who might otherwise be unable to afford a college education. The awards can amount to up to $50,000. An additional 20 awards of $5,000 are made to military spouses who are continuing their education. Since the program began, more than $3.5 million in educational support has been distributed.

Military spouses face their own unique challenges while trying to continue their educations.

“Most of the time they’re working, they’re usually taking care of several kids and often are single parents when spouse is deployed. I don’t know how they do what they do. Somehow they fit in school with all those other things. They want to be able to do more, get a better job so they can contribute more to their family,” Montalvo explained. Award recipients have earned degrees in teaching, nursing, accounting and other career fields.

Students and spouses of military personnel serving at Fort Meade, Fort Bragg, Fort Polk, Fort Rucker, Fort Riley, Fort Sill and Aberdeen Proving Ground are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants. They do not have to live in a Picerne Military property to be eligible.

Picerne Military Housing is a Yardi Systems client.