Kids’ Chance Scholarships Help Children of Injured Workers Build Brighter Futures
Kids’ Chance Scholarships Help Children of Injured Workers Build Brighter Futures
Each year on April 28, Workers Memorial Day honors workers who lost their lives on the job. It also shines a light on the families left behind — especially the children whose education and future plans can be disrupted by a parent’s workplace injury or death.
For many of these students, access to college scholarships for children of injured workers can make the difference between giving up and moving forward.
Bailey Burchett knows this firsthand.
A scholarship that changed everything
The summer before her senior year of college, Bailey’s father was killed in a workplace explosion. At the time, she was already managing student loans and depending on his support to finish her degree. His sudden death created both emotional trauma and financial uncertainty.
“I started searching scholarship databases, hoping to find something that would allow me to stay in school,” she said.
Her search led her to Kids’ Chance, a national nonprofit organizationthat provides scholarships to children of workers who are critically or fatally injured on the job.
That support allowed Bailey to continue her education when it mattered most.
How Kids’ Chance supportsfamilies after workplace tragedy
With a scholarship from Kids’ Chance of Kansas, Bailey completed her bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in supply chain management from the University of Kansas School of Business. She later earned an MBA with a concentration in management from the University of Saint Mary in 2022.
Today,Bailey works in Chicago as a senior business intelligence developer. She also serves as one of Kids’ Chance’s 2026 national ambassadors, helping raise awareness about financial aid for students affected by workplace accidents.
“I hope to use my story to generate support for students like me, whose families have been impacted by workplace tragedy,” she said. “I want to help foster a community that will support students for many generations to come.”
Her journey highlights the long-term impact of workplace injury on families — and the critical role scholarships play in helping children rebuild stability and opportunity.
The lasting impact of workplace injury on children
Everyday in the United States:
Behind every statistic is a child whose education may suddenly be at risk.
Workers Memorial Day serves as a reminder not only to honor those lost, but to support the families navigating the aftermath. Access to education is one of the most powerful ways to break the cycle of hardship caused by workplace tragedy.
Organizations like Kids’ Chance of America exist to ensure children do not lose their future because of an accident they did not cause.
How to help children affected by workplace accidents
There are simple ways to support students whose families have been impacted by workplace injury or death.
Refer a child for a scholarship
Kids’ Chance of America’s Planning for the Future initiative maintains a national database of eligible students. To refer the child of a critically or fatally injured worker, complete the online form:
https://pff.kidschance.org
Donate to supportscholarships
Tax-deductible donations help provide education funding to students affected by workplace tragedy. Supporting Kids’ Chance of America means investing directly in a child’s future.
https://www.kidschance.org/donate/kcoa
