provided to The Santiva Chronicle
FISH of SanCap is grateful to the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida for its continued support of women working to further their education through the organization’s Adult Scholarship Program.
The program helps women who live or work on Sanibel and Captiva take the next step toward more stable, sustainable careers by covering costs such as tuition, certification and licensing fees, books, uniforms, and other required materials.
Many of the women served are balancing work, family, and the high cost of living—often underemployed or working in industries that don’t offer long-term stability. Others are pursuing an opportunity they once thought wasn’t possible. Access to education gives them a real chance to move forward.
On behalf of the Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida, Grants Co-Chair Joanne Marriott shared, “We are very pleased to inform you that FISH is being awarded a grant toward helping women in the Adult Scholarship Program continue their educations and pursue new career paths.
“Everyone in Zonta supports all programs and activities that FISH offers, but we are especially proud right now to help cover tuition, certification and licensing fees, books, uniforms, and other costs that can stand in the way of women moving toward independence,” concluded Marriott.
FISH’s Adult Scholarship Program focuses on removing the practical barriers that often keep women from continuing their education with the goal of giving women the opportunity to move forward, support their families, and build something more secure for the future.
“This support helps make something possible that might otherwise feel out of reach,” said Nitza Lopez, FISH Social Services Director. “We see women every day who are working hard, taking care of their families, and still trying to better themselves. When the financial piece is covered, they can focus on school and actually move forward.”
One program participant shared how that support made a difference for her family. “We were trying to get by on one income and keep up with rent,” she said. “When I had the chance to enroll in a certificate program, I didn’t know how we would afford it. FISH helped cover part of the cost, and that changed everything. Now I can focus on finishing the program and building something more stable for my family.”
FISH notes that the need for this kind of support continues to grow. In recent years, more women have applied for assistance than funding allows, many of them working multiple jobs or recovering from setbacks tied to storms or shifts in the local economy.
Through partnerships like this one with Zonta, FISH can say yes more often—helping women take meaningful steps toward independence, stronger career paths, and long-term stability.
For more information about FISH of SanCap’s Adult Scholarship Program or how to support it, visit fishofsancap.org or contact the organization at (239) 472-4775. More information about other FISH programs is available at fishofsancap.org.
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