Crime leaves in its wake, physical, psychological and financial injuries. To survivors of victims of homicide, DWI or other related crimes resulting in the death of the victim, these losses can be especially devastating. While convicted criminals enjoy food and shelter, free medical and psychological care, and even educational opportunities, their victims are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives as best they can.

For a mother with minor children whose husband has lost his life to a violent crime, the future is uncertain at best. Not only does she have to shoulder the burden of meeting the family's day to day needs, if possible, she must also prepare for the children's educational future. Unfortunately for too many surviving mothers, an educational future for her children is but a dream with no hope of being fulfilled. The mother herself may be in need of further education to better meet the financial responsibilities of raising a family alone.

To address this need, Texans for Equal Justice has established the Maybelle Bonin Mother-Child Survivors' Educational Scholarship Program which is made available to certain survivors throughout Texas. The scholarships are specifically designated to mothers with minor children to raise and she is in need of further education to better support them, or to surviving children who wish to attend college.

Scholarship funds are paid directly to the educational institution and covers the costs of tuition and fees to colleges or vocational schools, along with related books and supplies. Follow-up is done on a mentor type basis to provide support and encouragement throughout the scholarship period.

The TEJ Maybelle Bonin Mother-Child Survivors' Educational Scholarship Program is administered by a working committee consisting of representatives from various professions such as education, medical, real estate, criminal justice, corporate, and crime victim advocacy. A statewide advisory committee serves to ensure the overall success of the program by providing valuable insights gained from their respective fields.

The Mother-Child Survivors' Educational Scholarship application period runs from March 1 through June 1. Applications must be received on or before June 1st to be considered for the current application period. During July, the applications are judged by a committee of at least five individuals and the recipients are notified.

The development of the Texans for Equal Maybelle Bonin Justice Mother-Child Survivors' Educational Scholarship Program was inspired by the love of a daughter for her mother, and awareness of the trials that surviving mothers and children must endure. Maybelle Bonin was the loving mother of eleven children who enjoyed being a homemaker. In 1978, Maybelle became a survivor of two homicide victims when her children's father and one of her sons were murdered. At the time, she had seven minor children at home to raise alone. There were no insurance or other financial resources to draw upon. Maybelle had little education or work experience outside the home. Public assistance and minimum wage work were the only things available to help her sustain the family. Needless to say, things were very hard financially. However, Maybelle's attitude in the midst of adversity - her strength of character, her courage, her perseverance and compassion for the suffering of others, set an example that no amount of money could buy for her children.

Though the number of children Maybelle Bonin raised was larger than the average family, what she held in common with most mothers was the love she had for her children. Like other mothers, her greatest desire was to make the best life possible for her family. Unfortunately, one of the things she felt would have had the most positive impact on her family was out of her grasp - an educational future for her children. Maybelle felt that the possibility of an educational future would have been a much needed ray of hope in all their lives, as well as the lives of other families in similar circumstances.

There are many women and children in our state who must fight the same survival battle that Maybelle Bonin did. On a daily basis, these women and children must deal with a myriad of issues that most of us can only imagine. We know that we can never replace the extreme loss these families have endured. As caring individuals, what we can do is help to restore a renewed sense of hope. Renewed hope in the fact that people really do care about them and their plight, and hope in the fact that they can have an educational future. Surviving families have suffered tremendously at the hands of criminals. We should not allow them to be robbed further of an educational future.

Survivors are encouraged to contact Texans for Equal Justice for a scholarship application. Anyone wanting more information or wishing to financially support this worthy program may also contact the organization at: