Friday, October 2, 2026
For Monique Patterson, giving back isn’t just a charitable act—it’s a family tradition. Drawing on the support and encouragement she received growing up in Roosevelt, Patterson co-founded the Patterson Dream Builders Foundation with her cousin, Joanna Pippins, to help local students achieve their educational dreams.
“We were always blessed with having a family that supported us throughout our school years,” Monique shares. “We just figured that we would do the same for other students who didn’t have the same support at home.”
Since 2019, the Patterson Dream Builders Foundation has been a benefactor for students in the Roosevelt and Hempstead school districts.
The non-for-profit awards annual scholarships to support underserved youth.
Each year, the foundation awards scholarships to deserving students—one from Roosevelt and, as of recently, one from Hempstead.
The scholarship amount is approximately $250 per student.
“This year, we’re still determining the exact amount, as it depends on donations,” Monique explains.
Initially, the scholarships were funded out of the family’s own savings, but the foundation now seeks donations and sponsorships to expand its reach.
Beyond financial support, the foundation is deeply involved in the community.
From back-to-school fairs to clothing and sneaker drives, the organization partners with other local groups to provide essential resources.
At the end of August, they will host a back-to-school event in collaboration with Naeem Justice, a Hempstead-based nonprofit supporting individuals with sickle cell disease.
Monique, a registered nurse now living in Elmont, credits her family’s unwavering support for her own academic and professional achievements.
“They paid for my cousin and I to go to school, made life easy for us, so we didn’t have to worry about working or paying bills unless we wanted to,” she recalls. “It was only right for us to give back to the community.”
The scholarship application process is coordinated through guidance counselors in each district.
Students must meet certain requirements, including residency, GPA, and submitting an essay about overcoming obstacles.
Applications open in January, with a deadline of May 15 each year.
As the foundation works on launching a website to make information more accessible, Monique remains focused on her mission.
“Every recipient is very happy that they won the award, no matter how big or small it may be,” she says.
One such recipient is Lisbeth Fuentes, who will be attending Adelphi University to major in Biochemistry, with hopes of becoming a molecular pathologist.
In her scholarship essay submitted to the non-for-profit, Lisbeth wrote, “This scholarship would … give me the chance to focus fully on my studies, take part in research, and get closer to the career I’ve worked so hard for.”
