Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Sara N. Haines Memorial Scholarship: Yasier, Jalynn, Hassanah, and Damaurion.
Recipients of the 2026 Sara N. Haines Memorial Scholarship. | Photo by Umar Mahmood
Established by the Haines Family Foundation, the scholarship honors Sara N. Haines, a lifelong advocate for education and community service. The program supports Habitat Philadelphia homeowners and their children as they pursue college, university, trade school, and professional certification programs, helping students achieve academic success while creating positive change in their communities.
All four of this year’s recipients are children of Habitat Philadelphia homeowners who are enrolled in undergraduate programs at universities across the region. Scholarship funds ($5,000 per award) may be applied directly to tuition or used for educational expenses such as books, fees, and other school-related costs.
This year’s award created double the impact, with two students receiving the scholarship during its launch last year. The next round of applications will take place in Spring 2027.
Meet the 2026 Haines Scholarship Recipients
Jalynn is a freshman psychology major at Kutztown University.
“My goal is to create a mental health clinic that offers affordable therapy and other services to people in my community.”
Damaurion is a sophomore marketing major at West Chester University.
Hassanah is a freshman business major at Temple University.
Yasier is a sophomore business administration major at Eastern University.
“Pursuing higher education in business will equip me with the tools I need to create opportunities for others and uplift my community.”
Habitat Philadelphia celebrated the scholarship recipients and their families on August 8, recognizing their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to their educational goals.
Scholarship recipients and families celebrate at the August 8 reception. | Photo by Umar Mahmood
The scholarship reflects a core belief at Habitat Philadelphia: stable housing creates the foundation for academic success. Research has consistently shown that children who experience housing stability are more likely to perform well in school, graduate, and pursue higher education opportunities. By investing in both housing and education, Habitat Philadelphia is helping families build brighter futures across generations.
We congratulate this year’s recipients and thank all students who applied. We look forward to seeing the impact these emerging leaders will make in their communities and beyond.