Johnson University Scholarships Support the Watson Family and Restoration House
Johnson University surprised alumni Daniel and Mandy Watson with full tuition scholarships for their three children while also helping establish a scholarship fund for children in The Restoration House program. The Watsons operate The Restoration House of East Tennessee, a nonprofit serving single mothers through transitional housing, mentoring, and connections to local resources.
- Johnson University awarded full tuition scholarships to the Watsons’ three children.
- A private donor established The Watson Restoration House Scholarship Fund to assist children in The Restoration House program.
- The Restoration House of East Tennessee serves single mothers through housing, mentoring, and practical support.
By Jennifer Taylor
In January, Johnson University (Knoxville, TN) surprised Daniel and Mandy Watson with full tuition scholarships for their three children and the establishment of a scholarship fund for children in The Restoration House program.
The Restoration House of East Tennessee
The Watsons, 2001 graduates of Johnson University, now operate The Restoration House of East Tennessee, a nonprofit organization ministering to the needs of single mothers. The organization offers transitional housing, team mentoring, and connections to social services and local resources. Families participating in the program must meet weekly with a leader to set goals, pay 30 percent of their income toward rent and utilities, work with a financial consultant, and begin attending school or working full-time within six months of beginning the program.
The school made the announcement during the taping of the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode featuring the Watson family. “Our commitment to our children, our future children, and the single-mother families of Knoxville is strengthened by your sacrifice of time and effort,” the Watsons wrote in a thank-you to the show and to their city. “The home that all of Knoxville has rallied to help build provides for us as a family but will more importantly serve as . . . a place where single-mother families will feel accepted, empowered, and equipped to achieve the dreams they never thought possible.”
The Watson Restoration House Scholarship Fund
The scholarship fund created to provide assistance was established by a private donor and will be named “The Watson Restoration House Scholarship Fund.” Johnson is accepting one-time, recurring, and matching gifts to the fund. Visit www.johnsonu.edu to learn more.
