In the wake of the closure of the Pactiv Evergreen mill, the Haywood Strong scholarship program emerged as a beacon of hope for former employees seeking to chart a new course. Launched within two weeks after the closure announcement, the Haywood Community College Foundation swiftly mobilized resources to offer educational opportunities to affected individuals.

According to HCC Foundation’s Executive Director Hylah Birenbaum, the initiative was kickstarted thanks to previously unutilized unrestricted funds. 

"Ironically, we were sent unrestricted funds in November the year prior that were just sitting and waiting until we figured out how to utilize those funds," Birenbaum said. “I talked to Dr. White and then to my Board chair and suggested we start a scholarship for the mill workers with these funds.”

The board swiftly greenlit the initiative, and within 48 hours, the Haywood Strong scholarship was set in motion.

It began with three tiers: direct employees, businesses associated with the mill, and family members of affected individuals. As the program gained traction, it opened its doors to all those affected by the closure, irrespective of their specific connection to the mill.

The financial support offered by Haywood Strong can cover a range of educational pursuits including trade certificates in areas such as EMS, truck driving, construction, HVAC, and plumbing, as well as traditional curriculum and continuing education courses. Recipients can receive up to $1,000 per semester for curriculum-related expenses including tuition, books, fees, and necessary supplies.

Since its inception, Haywood Strong has received overwhelming support from the community, with over 90 applications processed and approximately $55,000 disbursed to support 65 students. Participants have included individuals of a wide range of ages, some of whom worked at the mill for two years and some for as many as 25 years.

The program's success is attributed not only to its financial aid but also to strategic partnerships with educational institutions like Caldwell Technical and Community College, which facilitated access to specialized training programs and offered three instructors to help with programs at HCC.

About half of the scholarship recipients are working their way through associate degree programs, and have about another year until completion. Some who began with continuing education programs have already earned their certificates and have been able to re-enter the workforce.

The program aims to sustain its impact by continuing to raise funds through various events like trail runs, concerts, and disc golf tournaments. During the past year, these types of events have helped the Foundation raise about $18,000 to add to the Haywood Strong fund.

"As long as there are funds available and someone needs it, we will continue offering scholarships until the funds are zeroed out,” Birenbaum said. “Essentially, as long as there are former mill workers that need assistance, the scholarship will be there to provide that.”

Additionally, a new scholarship called Pivot has been launched to cater to individuals pursuing high-demand, high-earning trade jobs, further expanding the scope of support offered by the HCC Foundation. This scholarship, and several others available at HCC, do not specifically apply to former mill workers, but anyone who is interested in joining the College’s trade programs.

HCC’s leadership also works closely with various career resource providers in the area to continue the momentum and availability, providing as much support as possible. By serving in a way that is so important to these individuals and their families, it creates ripples throughout the entire community.

“It is a small town and just like a big family,” Birenbaum said. “We’d had a death in the family, and we all want to come together and work to support that family.”