The Battling Mind Striders (BMS) has partnered with the Allegany County Area Foundation (ACAF) to establish the Overcoming Challenges Scholarship Fund, a new award designed to support students who have demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity.
“The meaning of ‘overcoming challenges’ means a lot to me personally because I have battled with a lot in my life,” BMS co-founder Jacob Witter said. “To me, it means hard work, never giving up, and pushing oneself through the difficulty one goes through.”
This annually funded scholarship will provide a yearly award of $500 to a current Allegany County high school senior who has shown the ability to overcome challenges — including a mental health diagnosis, physical disability, or other significant life circumstances. The recipient must have maintained a 2.5 GPA in high school and be accepted into a two- or four-year college program. Community service involvement and a demonstrated commitment to giving back will also be considered in the selection process.
Jacob, who lives with schizophrenia, has dedicated himself to building mental health awareness in Allegany County. In 2024, he partnered with peers to create Battling Mind Striders, a support group based in Wellsville, NY, focused on advocating for, supporting, and empowering individuals living with mental illness.
BMS hosts weekly community walks every Saturday at 10 a.m. (weather permitting), beginning at Catholic Charities (67 East Pearl Street) in Wellsville. These walks are designed to promote both mental and physical wellness while fostering friendship and connection among participants.
“I believe that we all have a purpose in life, and mine is to help people,” Jacob said. “BMS was created to give back in our community.”
The Overcoming Challenges Scholarship was funded through grassroots community efforts. In 2025, BMS hosted two fundraising dinners — a spaghetti dinner and a pulled pork dinner — with proceeds supporting the establishment of this scholarship fund.
“A lot of people took the time to help [with the community dinners], and I am very thankful for the assistance,” Jacob said. “I am thankful for those who helped me, including Mary Ann Newark, family, friends, and others out there.”
