Imagine being a 27-year-old mother of five and making the decision to go back to school. Your husband is working overtime to help support your family while you take classes at Ivy Tech Community College, but the extra income qualifies you for fewer Pell Grant funds. You're worried you might not be able to continue pursuing your education.

Then you find the answer: a scholarship to Ivy Tech offered by the South Bend Clinic Charitable Fund. There's one problem, however: the deadline is May 1, and it's April 30 - so you only have one day to apply.

That's exactly what happened to Natasha Jackson. With the deadline for application

rapidly approaching, she nevertheless decided to apply and hope for the best. It was such a spur-of-the-moment decision that she didn't have much hope of being selected. And that's why it was such a surprise when she was awarded the $1,500 scholarship.

"It was a last-minute decision that ended up being a wonderful experience," Natasha recalls.

Dr. Jim Harris is Vice President of Development and the Director of Clinical Research at the South Bend Clinic. He and his wife Dr. Holly Hake Harris, a dermatologist, led the effort to establish the South Bend Clinic Medical Assisting Scholarship awarded to Natasha as a way for the clinic to give back while promoting careers in healthcare.

"Graduates of Ivy Tech have the kind of work ethic and passion that we like to have working for us here at the South Bend Clinic," he states. "In fact, many of our Medical Assistants have come from Ivy Tech, and Medical Assistants are the lifeblood of this office."

In addition, the scholarship supports a field where students are often in need of aid. Approximately 95 percent of medical technology workers are women, many of whom are single mothers with substantial financial needs. Without the help of donors, many of these talented young women would be stopped from reaching their full potential because of the lack of financial support.

Dr. Harris wasn't the only one who saw the potential in giving these students the chance to thrive. Many of his colleagues at the South Bend Clinic gave as well. Even staff members who have limited resources themselves have contributed to the more than $150,000 raised for the endowment.

The endowment has already helped cover half a year's tuition for Natasha Jackson, and there are plans to expand the South Bend Clinic Charitable Fund in the future. They also hope to aid faculty and building projects within the Medical Assisting program at Ivy Tech.

"Ivy Tech is worth the investment because it has such a strong Medical Assisting program," Dr. Harris notes. "They provide excellent leadership, which means that their graduates are good leaders too. We want those students to know that we are cheering them on as they start their education."

Those cheers are heard loud and clear by Natasha. As the first from her family to graduate from College, she says that being awarded this scholarship has helped her realize a dream.

"The South Bend Clinic Medical Assisting Scholarship allowed Natasha Jackson to continue her education at Ivy Tech."