“This award would not only help me with college, but it would help me with the rest of my life,” said Emily Myers, a Kids’ Chance of Maryland scholarship recipient.

We’re proud to announce that Emily is the first recipient of the Jim Hudak and Sally Silvia scholarship.

Emily is an incoming Freshman at Stevenson University. When she was 16, her father was killed in a work-related accident when his truck overturned.

Despite a police investigation, the family was left with a multitude of questions. Those unanswered questions motivated Emily to major in chemistry and she ultimately plans to attend medical school so that she can help give answers to families and provide the closure that she and her family never received.

“I would often watch shows about medical examiners and how their work could bring bad guys to justice and give closure to families. I always had it in the back of my mind as something I wanted to do but it wasn’t until my father passed away that I realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do, it was what I was meant to do.”

Kids’ Chance of Maryland nominated Emily because they knew she was an excellent candidate with a bright future. In fact, Emily managed to attain honor roll status during her high school years and even received distinguished honor roll status twice during her senior year. Emily has also been active in her community in Harford County, Maryland.

Kids’ Chance state organizations across the country provide scholarships to children of workers who have been seriously or fatally injured on the job. Through the generosity of Jim Hudak and Sally Silvia there is now a national scholarship available each year, providing additional support to state scholarship programs. Each state organization may submit one of their kids as a candidate every year.

Jim and Sally are thrilled to see the first scholarship awarded. “The kids who benefit from the Kids’ Chance scholarship program are just amazing. They have been through unimaginable tragedy, and yet they are poised, confident, and articulate,” shared Jim. “Emily is a terrific kid who has taken her life experiences and turned them into something positive. I admire that and am grateful Sally and I can play a part in helping her succeed.”

Jim has been a longtime supporter of Kids’ Chance. He began that support when he was Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Paradigm, committing his company to a national partnership which it maintains today.

Now his focus is on getting other industry leaders personally involved in Kids’ Chance, largely by making gifts to the Kids’ Chance of America Endowment.

“These kids are our future. Kids’ Chance enables them to pursue their education and build toward a productive future. That’s something as leaders in the workers’ compensation industry that we all need to support.”

“Education is the road to economic empowerment,” shared Sally. “I’m passionate about that for everyone, but especially for women.”

For Emily, the scholarship means reducing the debt she’ll incur to pursues her dreams.

“I am so grateful for this scholarship. It will allow me to move forward with my career goals and make a difference for not just myself, but for everyone around me.  I’m very excited to see where my education takes me!”

‍About the Jim Hudak and Sally Silvia Scholarship Fund

‍Created in 2019, the Jim Hudak and Sally Silvia Scholarship Fund is part of the Kids’ Chance of America Endowment established through the generosity of James B. Hudak, former Chief Executive Chairman and Executive Officer of Paradigm Outcomes, capping a career distinguished by innovative thinking and a history of building motivated, cohesive teams. Jim’s leadership in the workers’ compensation industry led him to Kids’ Chance of America, and his dedication and commitment has enabled the charity’s growth as a national scholarship platform. Sally has a long history of charitable activity and she has a passion for supporting the education of women and girls to help them achieve economic empowerment. Learn More

‍About the Kids’ Chance Endowment

‍The Kids’ Chance of America Endowment is a living legacy to those families impacted by a work-related injury or death, allowing the next generation to pursue educational dreams without financial burden. Established in 2019 with a gift from workers’ comp industry leader and philanthropist, James Hudak, The Kids’ Chance of America Endowment provides funding, in perpetuity, to ensure that Kids’ Chance can provide scholarships to children affected by a parent’s work-related injury or death. Learn More