Ricardo Batista Scholarship

Ricardo Batista with his daughters

Ricardo Batista, pictured with his three daughters, two of the founders Swannie and Rachel Batista on left and right

In Loving Memory of Ricardo Batista

Ricardo Batista was an entrepreneur, interior designer, contractor, developer, innovator, devoted father, and husband. He immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the Lower East Side in the late 1970s, selling various items to pursue a passion for interior design. He eventually became a developer and contractor, leaving a lasting impact on the communities he served. In 2017, tragedy struck when Ricardo was killed while walking the family’s dog in Connecticut. The youngest of 12 siblings was suddenly gone, leaving behind his wife and three daughters.

As the family mourned his loss, they also faced the devastating reality that justice was never served. Determined to make a difference, his daughters turned their grief into advocacy. After two years of fighting for change, working with city officials, and demanding action, traffic lights and speed bumps were finally installed to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others.

A year later, in honor of their father’s legacy, Swannie and Rachel founded Paralegals for the Community, a mission-driven organization dedicated to uplifting those burdened by the loss of a loved one, fighting injustices within the legal system, and paying it forward—just as Ricardo did and would have wanted them to.

This scholarship was created in his memory—to support students who aspire to pursue legal careers but face economic hardships. It stands as a testament to Ricardo Batista’s spirit of resilience, generosity, and unwavering commitment to his community.

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We are so grateful for your support!

2024 Recipient -
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Support Our Mission: Your donation helps us provide essential services and programs to those in need. Every dollar makes a difference, and with your help, we can continue to make a positive impact.

The Next Generation of Leaders- Your contribution allows us to award up to 5 recipients in the Tri-State area in Paralegal studies or in any legal studies program. For academic years 2023-2024, 74% of students in the tri-state area received aid in the amount of $6,476 on average.

Community Supported- Our scholarship is designed to make it possible for students to be able to continue their education by providing aid for those in dire need. By creating a supportive community, this makes it easier to provide to students.

A donation of any amount is greatly appreciated! Your support makes it all happen. Join us in being another resource for ourselves, our families and our neighbors, but most importantly for our students to successfully achieve their academic goals.

Please consider a recurring donation. Recurring donations allows you to give ongoing, year-long support.

Thank you for your generosity and support!

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Scholarship Criteria
  • New York or New Jersey Resident.
  • U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or DACA recipient.
  • Enrolled part-time or more in an Accredited Paralegal/Legal Studies program.
Requirements
  • Letter of recommendation (past or current professor)
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Eligible for financial aid
  • 250-word essay (3 out of 5 prompts)
Essay Prompts (Choose 3)
  • Why did you choose Paralegal or Legal Studies?
  • How will it shape your career plans?
  • What financial impact would this scholarship have?
  • Your goals after program completion?
  • Skills that would benefit the legal industry?