Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania – June 10, 2025: We are delighted to announce Reynald Salazar, a United States Navy veteran, will be awarded a $5000 scholarship towards his bachelor’s degree in psychology with a clinical/counseling track at DeSales University. As a former Chief Engineman (E-7) in the U.S. Navy, Reynald spent over a decade maintaining and mastering complex shipboard mechanical systems.
“My ultimate career goal is to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and eventually earn a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology. I aim to serve as a therapist within the Department of Veterans Affairs, where I can use both my personal experiences and professional training to help veterans heal from trauma, manage mental health conditions, and reintegrate into civilian life.” says Salazar.
Reynald’s purpose is clear and filled with a deep purpose. “I am deeply committed to helping as many veterans as possible, particularly those grappling with mental health challenges. Inspiring even one person to find hope and persevere through life’s unpredictable challenges would make every step of my journey worth it.” says Salazar.
“As a former Chief Engineman in the U.S. Navy, Reynald demonstrates strong discipline, leadership and service to our country with clear goals and a purpose to serving his fellow veterans.“ says Alyssa Budraitis, co-founder of Andrew Budraitis Foundation.
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all the applicants who demonstrated their passion and dedication through their impressive applications.
Thank you to our generous donors and supporters, we extend our heartfelt thanks for your invaluable contributions.
The Andrew Budraitis Foundation Scholarship is a committee-coordinated scholarship fund established at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation in 2022. The Andrew Budraitis Foundation is a component fund of the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity.