ABOUT US
We’re a non-profit foundation that strives to motivate children to pursue education beyond high school. We believe the way to achieve this is by combining studying with inspirational out-of-school Media activities.
Making Futures Brighter Through Education
The Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Miami, Florida and Los Angeles, California. The late Dr. Harkins believed that all children, regardless of race, gender, or class deserved to enjoy the best possible future. She devoted her life to helping others.
Raffle for Brighter Futures
We will announce the winners on Friday, May 9, 2025, on our website.
Grand Prizes: Amazon Fire Tablet, 100.00 Amazon Gift Card, Local Restaurant Gift Cards.
FLORIDA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
In recognition of her services to the Dade County Public Schools as an educator, The Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Educational Scholarship was established in 2005.
Dr. Harkins was a life-long educator of the Dade County Public Schools who believed in the power of teaching all children. Dr. Harkins felt that there wasn’t enough caring and concern for the students in the schools. This predicament moved her to instigate change. By becoming a teacher, coordinator and an administrator, Dr. Harkins strived for not only the betterment of the conditions in schools, but for the betterment of the students as well. The Foundation decided to honor her by establishing a scholarship in her honor, for students in the Homestead/Miami, Florida School District. Each year we will be awarding the scholarship.
CALIFORNIA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM:
In recognition of her services of helping others, the Tonya James-Gordon Scholarship was established in 2010. Mrs. James-Gordon was a Contributor to the foundation up until the time of her death. The Foundation decided to honor her by establishing a scholarship in her honor, for students in the Compton, California School District. Each year we will be awarding the scholarship to qualifying High School Seniors.
Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation Fundraiser Raffle is to raise money for our scholarship program.
Prizes. Include: Amazon Fire Tablet, 100.00 Amazon Gift Card, Local Restaurant Gift Cards.
Programs
Defining the next generation of scholars should not only be by what they learn in the classroom but also through their experiences beyond text books and outside of traditional learning environments. We believe that the best way to motivate children to pursue education beyond high school is by combining studying with inspirational out-of-school activities.
Scholarships
Each year the Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding students in the communities of Dade County, Florida and Los Angeles County, California.
Workshops
This program identifies gifted young people from traditionally underrepresented groups in the industry and provides them with an intensive once-a-month training program.
Film Camps
Become fully immersed in a collaborative, supportive and creative artistic community.
Essay Contest
A great opportunity for your students to test their writing skills! Win the Grand Prize and receive a Nextbook 7″ Tablet with 8GB memory with Google Mobile Services!
Photography
This Five-Weeks (Once a week online) class for Pre-Teens/Teens is designed to introduce to them the fundamental operations, techniques, and composition of digital photography.
Film Screening
Our program was establish to have young filmmakers learn the basic elements of visual storytelling (i.e. what makes a film a film and not a book, painting, etc.) and put them into practice.
What Our Students Have to Say
Before working with the DBSH Foundation, I had a lot of worries about how to get started in the film industry and needed a creative support system. The Foundation has surrounded me with passionate actors and filmmakers who want more than anything to see young people succeed, and they provide us the tools to do so. I am so grateful for the DBSH Foundation for being a daily source of inspiration and support.
Emily
Acting Student
By attending the Thoughts on a Page: Script Writing Workshop I learned the following about writing a script: I never thought of the character and how the character shows themselves as different things. It was useful to look at stories that way.
Macy
Script Writing Workshop Participant
I love film camp! The thing that I really, really liked was the way you brought in actual speakers of popular and obscure films who spoke to us about their movie/movie role. This allowed me to learn from their experiences.
John
Film Camp Participant
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Foundation News
Giving Tuesday
We must invest in our children
“We know better. Make time. Do better.”
Dr. Barbara Harkins
Our programs would not have been possible if it weren’t for our generous donors. A gift such as yours allows the Dr. Barbara Seniors Harkins Foundation to continue their advocacy for educating youth beyond the classroom. Because of your generosity, our youth will receive hands-on education that will stretch their minds as far as possible.