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Waymond Lee Pace Scholarship

Fund Description

The Waymond “Lee” Pace Scholarship fund seeks to honor his life and legacy by gifting academic scholarships to assist those with demonstrated need achieve success in school and in life. Lee founded the River of Life Tabernacle in South Phoenix with a desire to build a multi-cultural, multi-denominational “hospital, under construction, open for business, with a Chief Surgeon on duty.” Eventually growing to over 5,000 members; the River of Life celebrated a congregation that was 1/3 black, 1/3 white, 1/3 Latino, with individuals from all walks of life and denominational affiliations.

The River of Life was the largest distribution center of food boxes and toys for tots in the State of Arizona, provided housing for the homeless, legal aid, financial assistance, day care, preschool and K-12 education, financial counseling services, transportation assistance, funded orphanages in developing countries and sent missionaries abroad.

Lee’s motto in life was ‘bigger, better, more, faster, now’ and he brought a larger than life approach to everything he did and kept a metal washer in his pocket to remind him that we are all flawed and have holes. This scholarship seeks to support the communities Lee lived so passionately to serve, while developing the next generation of change agents.

 

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Investing in Arizona's Health and Human Services Workforce

The Waymond Lee Pace Scholarship program invests in building Arizona's health and human services workforce from the ground up. We are investing in the front lines by providing scholarships to professionals seeking certification as a Peer Support Specialist, Community Health Worker or Nursing Assistant to increase access to care and to honor Lee who experienced over 40-years in recovery.

 

 

 

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Eligibility Requirements

  • High school students, graduates, or those with a GED diploma.
  • Minimum GPA 2.0
  • Attending, or seeking to attend trade school, vocational school, community college for certification as a Peer Support Specialist, Community Health Worker or Nursing Assistant in Arizona. 

Award Amount

Scholarship awards are up to $500.00, which in many cases covers the full cost of certification. 

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How do I apply for the Waymond “Lee” Pace Scholarship?

A: You can apply for the scholarship directly online through this page. Simply click the "Apply Today!" buttons located on this page to launch the application form, submit your academic info, and verify your eligibility.

Q: How do I find an eligible program to get certified as a community health worker?

A: You can find an eligible program for Community Health Worker (CHW) certification by choosing a training program approved by the Arizona Community Health Workers Association (AzCHOW) or an accredited Arizona community college. To qualify for voluntary certification through the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), you must complete one of the following official pathways:

  • College Pathway: Complete a CHW certificate program at an accredited college plus 480 hours of paid or volunteer CHW work experience.
  • Organization Pathway: Complete an approved AzCHOW training program plus 480 hours of work or volunteer experience.
  • Experience-Only Pathway: Complete 960 hours of documented CHW experience within the last 3 years mapping to core state competencies (no formal class required).

Q: How do I get certified as a Peer Support Specialist?

A: To become a Certified Peer Support Specialist (PRSS) in Arizona, you must complete a training program approved by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) and pass its final competency exam. The Arizona credentialing process requires that you:

  • Meet Lived Experience Requirements: Self-identify as an individual with personal, lived experience in mental health conditions and/or substance use recovery.
  • Complete Training: Graduate from an approximately 40-hour AHCCCS-approved peer support training program.
  • Pass the Exam: Achieve a score of 80% or better on the training program's graduation exam to receive your official credential.

Q: How do I get certified as a Nursing Assistant?

A: To get certified as a Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Arizona, you must complete a 120-hour training program approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing (AZBN) and pass the state competency exam. The standard steps to achieve your certification include:

Complete Approved Training: Finish 120 hours of instruction divided into 40 hours of classroom learning, 20 hours of lab skills, and 40 hours of supervised clinical experience (with an extra 20 hours distributed by the program).

Pass the State Exam: Successfully clear both the 75-question written knowledge test and the hands-on clinical skills evaluation managed by D&S Diversified Technologies.

Submit Security Clearance: Be at least 16 years old, establish legal presence, and obtain a fingerprint clearance card via the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Q: Is my certification eligible for college credit towards a degree?

A: Yes, your certification may be eligible for college credit depending on whether you completed your training at an accredited Arizona community college. Institutions like Maricopa Community Colleges and Pima Community College format their Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Community Health Worker (CHW) programs into academic credit blocks that can directly apply toward an Associate Degree in Health Sciences or Nursing. For community-based organization training (such as peer support programs), you must check with your target college's admissions office to see if they grant Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credits for professional credentials.

Q: Can I donate to the Waymond “Lee” Pace Scholarship fund?

A: Yes, community support is welcomed to help expand the reach of the fund. You can make a contribution by clicking here to donate.