The Mary Joan Keeney Education Fund was established in 2017 to honor the memory of Joan Keeney and her dedication to continuing education. In 1992, at the age of 59, she attended Denver Seminary in Denver and completed a lifelong dream of earning a Master’s in Counseling. Upon graduation, she volunteered as a grief and bereavement counselor at The First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. Her life passion was helping others heal and return to love.
In partnership with North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) based in Alpharetta, NFCCHelp.org, the Mary Joan Keeney Fund assists selected NFCC clients to achieve educational and occupational goals by providing financial assistance. The purpose of the fund is to provide women interested in healthcare and mental health careers access to funds to further their education and certification. Ultimately, our mission is to help students achieve educational goals that will allow them to serve others in need of compassionate quality healthcare.
In 2018 the MJK Education Fund awarded grants to two extraordinary women. George Ann Daniels was the first recipient; she completed her Certified Nurse Assistant program at Kennesaw State University in December of 2018. She is currently working as a Patient Care Technician at Northside Hospital and occasional weekends at Arbor Terrace, an assisted living facility. She hopes to continue her education and become a registered nurse. “I love the residents and they touch my heart deeply, it’s amazing the lives I am able to touch. Because of the support of the MJK fund, I am now able to return to the healthcare field; I am very happy and thankful for the opportunity to serve others.”
Ivy Kani is the second recipient of the MJK fund, she is currently enrolled at Georgia State University and is studying to become a Registered Nurse. Her goals are to work in a hospital and eventually set up a health clinic to assist children in her home country, Zambia. She recently said, “the financial assistance from the MJK Fund will help me achieve my career goals, I would not have gone this far without the encouragement, love and kindness I have received.”
If you have further questions about the Mary Joan Keeney Education Fund, please contact Pam McKemie, 404.561.3943 or pmckemie@bellsouth.net.
