Reach Program helps Team Members Achieve Educational Goals

More than 600 KFC US team members are a step closer to obtaining a college degree thanks to the Kentucky Fried Chicken Foundation's REACH Educational Grant Program.

Earlier this month, the Foundation awarded $2,000 grants to 609 employees. Some are the first in their families to attend college and others are going back to finish a degree they started years ago.

REACH scholarship recipient Kevin Garcia of Asheboro, NC said he has learned a lot about hard work and life while taking care of his three year-old daughter, working at KFC and attending college full-time. “In my family I am the first to have the opportunity to have further education and I intend on capitalizing on my chance and make my parents and daughter proud,” said Garcia.

Another REACH winner, Aba Abdurahim of Hilliard, Ohio, said this is the type of opportunity her family dreamed of when they immigrated to the U.S.

“KFC has given me motivation in my education, along with making my parents proud because they were not able to have the chance to go to school as I am blessed to be able to,” said Abdurahim. “As cheesy as it sounds, KFC is my second family and home.”

The REACH program has a competitive application process and employees and former winners can re-apply each year. Read more about this year's REACH winners and their stories on Facebook.com/kfcfoundation.