Reno, Nev. (June 14, 2011) – From cultural and natural resource preservation support to much-needed community-based outreach efforts, Chase International is no stranger to thoughtful philanthropic pursuits. Chase Realtor Patti Ireland was banking on her employer’s charitable tradition after she heard Jasmine Perez, 21, share her horrific story of childhood abuse at a recent Reno South Rotary Club meeting.
Ireland sits on the club’s Most Improved Student Scholarship judging committee, which annually awards $5,000 to five young people. Thirty-two students, from 16 Washoe County schools, applied for the five, $1,000 scholarships. The finalists gave presentations in front of a judging panel and were scored on financial need and degree of hardship; motivation and initiative; communication and social skills; support system, determination and resourcefulness and overall attributes.
According to Chase International Reno Realtor Patti Ireland, it was easy to identify the top six applicants. “The only problem was that the Rotary had allocated just enough money for five, $1,000 scholarships,” explained Ireland, adding that all six had stories of incredible resiliency and perseverance.
Knowing her company’s history of charitable giving, Ireland shared the Rotary conundrum with her colleagues. In the end, the Chase leadership team found Perez’s story just as moving as Ireland did and promptly awarded her with a $1,000 scholarship.
“Her attitude is so amazing,” Ireland said of the young woman who was imprisoned in a bathroom for seven years by her grandmother. At 17, Perez entered fourth grade and at 21 she is slated to graduate from high school to pursue a career in teaching.
“I have had three great challenges,” Perez said in her speech to the Rotary. “The first challenge was enduring being locked in the bathroom for seven years. I was starved, beaten and neglected by my own family. I was fortunate enough one day to find the opportunity and courage to escape.”
Later in her speech, Perez discussed the challenge of re-entering society and entering fourth grade as a teenager. “It all happened so fast and I felt like everyone was expecting me to grow up right away.”
And finally, Perez spoke of her challenge of self-discovery. “I was locked up for so long that I never knew what sort of things I liked to do, how I wanted to treat others, or what my personal beliefs were,” Perez said. “I have learned a lot about myself, but I still have a long way to go.”
After high school graduation, Perez plans to attend Truckee Meadows Community College. She’d also like to join AmeriCorps so she can help people.
“She is so deserving,” Ireland said, adding that she is proud to be a member of the Chase International team and of the Reno South Rotary Club which emphasizes community giving to deserving area students.
About Chase International
Headquartered in Lake Tahoe, Nevada since 1986, with eight offices in the region (Zephyr Cove, Glenbrook, Incline Village, Tahoe City, Squaw Valley, Truckee, South Lake Tahoe and Reno) and one in London, England, Chase International and its exclusive affiliations handles a large share of the country’s property. A recognized leader in the world of real estate, Chase International continues to grow having added 65 Realtors® to their ranks in the past twelve months.
With 240 professional Realtors® boasting an array of industry certifications and the highest volume per sales agent in the area, Chase International successfully represents homes at all price levels. For more information about Chase International visit www.chaseinternational.com.