Foundation funds new student fellowship program

Includes expense stipend and 10 to 12-week internship program Milford — The Ingeborg A. Biondo Memorial Foundation this week announced creation of a new fellowship program. High school or college students who reside in Pike County, Sussex County, N.J. or western Orange County, N.Y. and are interested in experiencing firsthand their potential career choice working with specially challenged individuals now have an opportunity to do so through the Ingeborg Biondo Foundation Fellowship. The Biondo Foundation financially assists developmentally, neurologically and physically challenged individuals, their families and their caregivers through a summer camp program, and by providing strategic outreach and respite care. By establishing the fellowship, the Biondo Foundation hopes to foster and encourage those with educational and career interests in working with people with disabilities. Fellowship interns will work under the direction of the Foundation Board and will include at least one mentoring or shadowing experience in which the intern works side by side with a practicing professional in their field of interest, such as a nurse therapist, social worker, camp counselor or support personnel. While gaining expertise through real-life learning opportunities with a professional in the field, the chosen student will also receive a stipend of $3,000 for a typical 10-12 week internship experience. “Our goal is to encourage talented young people to choose a career in one of the fields providing service to individuals with special needs,” said Ed Brannon, who serves on the Biondo Foundation’s scholarship committee, which will oversee the awarding of the fellowship. “It can be anything from education to physical therapy to social work and is a way for us to enhance our services to people in our community with special needs.” The Biondo Foundation also offers a scholarship program in which scholarships totaling $18,000 were awarded to five students pursuing careers in special education in 2007. The scholarships provide financial support to those who will one day deliver skilled care, education and other services. Interns from the new fellowship will become eligible for consideration as scholarship recipients. “I believe the fellowship program will be a nice compliment to our scholarship program,” added Brannon. The fellowship occurs during the summer months, according to program coordinator Maria Crawford. “The intern would work at the summer camps and possibly with me, giving them an experience that can help them to decide on a career path,” she explained. Crawford encouraged any interested individuals to contact her at 570-686-2402 for additional information about the new fellowship or to receive an application. Students who are juniors or seniors in high school or those enrolled in college are welcome to apply. Applications must be received by the Foundation no later than Apr. 1, 2008. The foundation was created by Joseph R. Biondo, Principal of Biondo Investment Advisors of Milford, as a living memorial to his wife, Ingeborg A. Biondo, whose life ended in 1979 in an automobile accident. Established as a small program providing camp funding for a few children with physical, neurological or developmental challenges, the Foundation’s summer camping program has seen consistent growth, with 109 children able to attend camp in 2007. Based in Milford, PA, the Foundation serves the tri-state region of Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Learn more about the Foundation’s rewarding work at www.biondofoundation.org.