Joseph Benenati Awarded a Ruth Taylor Scholarship

United Way of Westchester and Putnam (UWWP) is proud to announce that Joseph Benenati of Eastchester has been awarded a 2020 Ruth Taylor Scholarship. She is one of 4 recipients who collectively received scholarship awards totaling $14,000.

Benenati is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at CUNY Lehman College. He earned his B.A. in Film and TV Studies also from CUNY Lehman College. Benenati is a volunteer at the New Rochelle Humane Society and Lifting Up Westchester, and interns at R.A.I.N. Total Care. He has his blue belt in Brazilian Jujitsu.

As a social worker, Benenati would like to work with groups to improve their communication skills and individuals to work on personal challenges, such as social anxiety, depression, and self-esteem issues, in a hospital’s behavioral health program.

The Ruth Taylor Scholarship was established in tribute to Ruth Taylor upon her retirement as Westchester County’s Commissioner of Public Welfare and in recognition of her nearly four decades of outstanding service. The annual awards are sponsored by United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Westchester County Government and the Urban League of Westchester County. 

Since the 2008-2009 academic year, 64 students from Westchester received a collective $175,000 in Ruth Taylor scholarships. Applicants must be residents of Westchester County and enrolled in graduate studies in Social Work or Public Health on a full-time basis. Criteria used in evaluating applications include a demonstration of public service, financial need, and scholastic capacity.