JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Less than two days after News4JAX aired a report about a grieving Jacksonville mother raising money to help a young man begin a maritime career, Bluewater Maritime School stepped in with a full scholarship.
The story first focused on Latasha Hobbs, who has spent years performing acts of kindness to honor her son, Maurice Hobbs, who was shot two days after turning 18 nine years ago.
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As part of that effort, she recently helped raise $875 to pay for a February class that would allow Jorge Avila Molina to become an able-bodied seaman.
After the story aired, Trey Baker, president of Bluewater Maritime School, contacted the family.
“I love the idea that she is just figuring out a way to keep his name out there and do these acts of random kindness and at the same time hopefully finding out some information about what actually happened to him,” Baker said.
He added that this is an opportunity for Molina to make a generational impact.
“It is not just his kids, but it is his kids’ kids and his kids’ kids’ kids that he will be making a positive impact on,” he said.
Baker offered Molina a full scholarship to attend the class and he reacted with gratitude.
“This is a blessing to be the first recipient. It was a shock. I am still in awe and I am excited,” he said. “This is a blessing not only just for me, but whoever comes after me. Hopefully they can do this for five, 10 [years], however long. So they can keep on blessing the next person.”
Molina said that completing the class could significantly increase his earnings — potentially quadrupling his salary.
Hobbs said the response has been overwhelming.
“I am just overwhelmed with gratitude. I mean, it has grown into something even greater than I thought it initially would. You know, it’s confirmation too that Maurice’s love is powerful. His legacy carries weight and his love still continues to um, connect and make a difference,” she said.
Hobbs added that this doesn’t just secure Molina’s and others’ futures.
“It keeps Maurice’s name, his dreams and his spirit alive through opportunity, and purpose to know that his life is being remembered through education, hope, and forward motion means more to my family than, than you could, than anyone could truly ever understand,” she said.
Baker and Hobbs said they are now discussing the possibility of making the scholarship an annual award in Maurice Hobbs’ name.