The ArrowHeart Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Arrowhead Credit Union, recently marked a monumental achievement in its mission to empower the community. In just five years, the ArrowHeart Scholarship Program has officially surpassed its original 10-year goal of awarding $1 million in scholarships to credit union members.

This rapid success was celebrated during a massive gathering at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, where the foundation honored its largest group of recipients to date.

Celebrating the “Great Equalizer”

This year, the program awarded a combined total of $401,000 to 182 students — the highest dollar amount and largest group of recipients in the program’s history. This surge pushed the foundation past the million-dollar mark well ahead of schedule, a feat celebrated by families, friends, and supporters in an arena that accommodates over 11,000 guests.

The celebratory event at Toyota Arena, hosted by Arrowhead Credit Union CEO Darin Woinarowicz, Senior Vice President Administration Chris Wright and Vice President of Philanthropy and Community Impact Stefanie Villalobos, featured a unique tradition: while recipients know they have won, they do not discover their specific award amount until they are called to the stage. As each student approached the stage, the Jumbotron displayed a video bio highlighting their achievements and aspirations.

“We are incredibly proud to have reached the $1 million milestone so quickly,” said Stefanie Villalobos. “One of the most memorable moments each year is seeing the reactions when recipients discover their award amount. It’s a meaningful and exciting experience that we’re honored to share with them.”

The selection process remains a rigorous, blind review based on essays, recommendations, and demonstrated leadership. This year, the foundation awarded its largest individual scholarship to date — a record $8,500 award. Every recipient receives a minimum of $1,000, with funds deposited directly into their Arrowhead accounts to be used for tuition, books, or housing at their discretion. According to Darin Woinarowicz, the program is grounded in the belief that “education is the great equalizer.”

Voices of Success: Real Lives, Real Impact

The true measure of the program’s success lies in the diverse paths of its recipients. The scholarships support students at every stage of life, requiring only that they be members in good standing with a minimum GPA of 2.5.

• Pivoting for the Community: Karen Feld, a member since the 1980s and a former government attorney, returned to school to become a teacher after seeing local students struggle during the pandemic. Now a 7th-grade teacher at a Title 1 school, she uses her platform to teach financial literacy, even inviting the Arrowhead Community Impact Team to her classroom.
• The Power of Music: Chani Greaves, a four-time recipient and cellist at Cal State Fullerton, used her awards to purchase a new cello and bow. “I’m putting energy into this thing that I love, and every dollar helps,” she shared. A member since age 13, Greaves has also utilized the credit union’s financial coaching and IRA services.
• Healing the Future: Madyson Miller, a pre-nursing major at Northern Arizona University, aims to become a Nurse Practitioner in Pediatric Oncology. The scholarship provided the stability she needed to move out of state. Her mother, Tiffany, noted, “It’s so rewarding to see her dedication and hard work pay off.”
• Giving Back Through Media: Caden Henderson, a junior at the University of Redlands and host of the YouTube show Caden’s Center, has used four consecutive scholarships to fund his journey into sports broadcasting. His mother, Jill, added that the support “has decreased our stress during the college experience.”
• A Family Affair: Siblings Brooke and Shawn Holtz both received scholarships recently. Brooke, a social work major at California Baptist University, was inspired by volunteering with ArrowHeart, while Shawn is pursuing a welding certificate at San Bernardino Valley College, inspired by his father’s career in sheet metal.
• New Horizons and Passions: Khai Nguyen, a three-time recipient, is using his award to pivot from visual design to an MBA program at UC Riverside. Similarly, Mabel Morris Dugbartey is pursuing a Master’s in Social Work at Barry University. “I leave with something in my spirit,” Mabel said of the ceremony. Her parents echoed the sentiment, noting the scholarship “goes a long way.”

Beyond the Classroom: ‘Hawks with a Heart’

ArrowHeart’s commitment to community extends far beyond tuition assistance, focusing on three key pillars: food security, housing stability, and education. Recently, the foundation partnered with 345 students at Arroyo Valley High School’s Business and Logistics Academy for the inaugural “Hawks with a Heart” clothing drive.

The initiative benefited Brigitte’s Closet, a program dedicated to providing ready-to-wear outfits to those in need. The student-led drive was a massive success, collecting 1,681 items valued at approximately $14,762. The project gave students hands-on experience in logistics while teaching the value of service.

“Our program is about providing real opportunities for our students to engage in workforce development,” said Andrew Lomax, a teacher and mentor at the academy. Students like Brian and Melissa reflected on the experience, with Brian noting that the work “highlighted that giving back… is about restoring a sense of hope and dignity.” 10th-grader Jasmine added, “This project taught me that large-scale community goals are only possible through clear communication and shared responsibility.”

Whether through clothing drives or million-dollar scholarship milestones, the ArrowHeart Foundation remains dedicated to the communities served by Arrowhead Credit Union. With over 100 events hosted annually, the foundation continues to bridge the gap for those in need through volunteerism, food donations, and academic support.