NYCHA-CUNY Scholar: Moniya Ware

During her first year of college in 2022, Moniya Ware had to adjust quickly to her packed schedule of being a single parent to a 7-year-old daughter, a full-time cook, and a student at Hostos Community College. “I would literally be in the kitchen at work cooking while juggling Zoom classes,” Ms. Ware said. “I’m so thankful my managers allowed it and were supportive of me being in school and working.” 

Ms. Ware’s hard work was recently recognized when she was named one of the recipients of the 2023 NYCHA-CUNY Scholarship awards. The NYCHA-CUNY Scholarships provide NYCHA public housing residents and Section 8 participants who attend City University of New York colleges with $1,000 for education-related expenses, such as tuition, books, and fees. Awardees must have 24 or more credits and at least a 3.0 GPA. 

Ms. Ware, a Section 8 voucher holder who lives in Queens, is one of this year’s 79 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars. She is also one of 54 awardees who received the Amazon NYCHA-CUNY Award, funded by a grant from Amazon. She was excited when she found out she won: “I had been checking and calling for months to find out if I won, and when I found out it was a good feeling. It’s hard being a single mom so this money will help me with school; I’ll be able to purchase books. My fellow students have helped me out and they’ve sent me copies of the pages I need, but now I’ll be able to purchase everything I need.” 

At Hostos, she is pursuing an associate degree in food studies. She has worked in the food industry for years; she recently began a new job at the Child Development Support Corporation as a health and nutrition monitor specialist, responsible for ensuring that home-based daycare providers have completed nutrition forms, licenses, and menus posted in their businesses. Once again, Ms. Ware has a manager who is supportive of her pursuit of education. “At my new job, I’m thankful my manager has already approved the internship hours I have to do for school,” she said. 

Previously, Ms. Ware was a cook for Grand Street Settlement’s Head Start program. The self-described foodie spent two years in this role. She worked alongside a health specialist who enlightened her on ways to make meals that were both delicious and nutritious. This fostered her interest in the nutrition aspect of food. 

“Although I love cooking, I don’t want to only be a cook,” Ms. Ware said. “I want to possibly work at a nonprofit to help people experiencing homelessness get nutritious meals. I worked in a homeless shelter before and when I visited the kitchen, I saw some of the food that was being served, like hot dogs. A lot of times people experiencing homelessness also have health issues, so they also need healthy food. Everyone should have access to healthy food, including people experiencing homelessness, low-income families, and other people struggling with food insecurity. I’m passionate about advocating for policies that promote food equity in our communities.” 

Ms. Ware is on track to achieve her goal of finishing her associate degree and transferring to Lehman College to pursue a degree in nutrition. 

To learn more about the NYCHA-CUNY Resident Scholarships, click here.   

To see the full list of 2023 NYCHA-CUNY Scholars, click here.