Albina Ministerial Alliance Honors Warner Pacific

Albina Ministerial Alliance Honors Warner Pacific College with 2013 Award for Education

PORTLAND, OR—January 31, 2013—The Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA) presented Warner Pacific College with the 2013 Education Award for their work with students from diverse backgrounds through the Urban Service Track created by the College in conjunction with the Act Six Leadership & Scholarship Initiative. The award was conferred at the AMA's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service, held on January 20, 2013, at Maranatha Church in Northeast Portland.

Through a consortium agreement between Portland Community College (PCC) and Warner Pacific College, students in the Urban Service Track have the opportunity to attend classes at PCC to build academic skills and confidence while embedded as residential students in the supportive environment of the Warner Pacific campus. Students also gain practical, hands-on experience while serving with non-profit organizations in the city of Portland. After scholars earn sufficient credits at PCC, they transition to Warner Pacific courses, enabling them to complete their education and graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Warner Pacific works closely with Act Six Students throughout the process by providing academic support and mentoring as they become accustomed to the demands and rigors of college life. Warner Pacific College is the only institution in the Pacific Northwest to offer this innovative Urban Service Track model, helping Act Six scholars successfully finish well and graduate. For each Act Six scholar, Warner Pacific provides a scholarship, supplementing federal and state aid to cover full-tuition for two years and room and board for all four years. These scholarship funds are raised entirely by Warner Pacific through grant awards and private contributions. For more information on the Act Six Leadership & Scholarship Initiative, visit www.actsix.org.

T. Allen Bethel"Warner Pacific College embraces the concept of being, 'in the city, for the city,' and through the Act Six program, they model a significant program that reaches and uplifts students who otherwise may not have the opportunity for a college education," said Rev. Dr. T. Allen Bethel, President of Albina Ministerial Alliance. "Observing Warner Pacific's program and the uniqueness of the Urban Service Track, AMA recognizes the College and its work as a Drum Major for education in our community."

Albina Ministerial Alliance (AMA) is a non-profit agency that promotes the intellectual, economic and spiritual vitality of children, youth and families in North Portland. Established in the 1950s, AMA was originally formed to serve African-American shipyard workers who faced bleak job prospects. To help these families, inner-city African-American clergy joined together, enabling workers to secure jobs and support their families. In the 1960s, AMA joined in the War on Poverty, assisting the community with job training, housing, and emergency supplies. In 1971, AMA was officially incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, and continues to serve the Portland community through human rights advocacy using the principles of non-violent direct action as enunciated by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.