Former Utah Jazz player Mark Eaton is partnering with the Salt Lake Education Foundation to establish a vocational scholarship fund.

Over the past 14 years, Mark Eaton's Standing Tall for Youth organization has provided support for thousands of at-risk youth along the Wasatch Front through life-enhancement programs, outdoor programs and basketball camps.

But Eaton said in a transition step forward, the program will be moving into the realm of education.

Eaton presented a $62,000 check this past week to Salt Lake's education foundation to establish the Mark Eaton Standing Tall for Youth Vocational Scholarship for students at West High and Horizonte to further their vocational dreams.

Eaton, who has a vocational education background himself -- a year in trade school in auto mechanics -- said though the criteria for the scholarships have yet to be set, they will definitely be for vocational studies.

He said West High and Horizonte were targeted because not only is that where some of the biggest needs are but many of the participants in the Standing Tall for Youth program came from the two schools.

"This is what we want for all of our kids -- something that can trigger them to realize their dreams and Mark has helped us with that," said Daphne Williams, executive director for the education association. "Mark has extended exciting opportunities for at-risk kids in the community."