Los Angeles, July 20, 2017 - The Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation (LACDF) awarded over $35,000 in Housing Authority Resident (HAR) Scholarships to 33 public housing and Section 8 participants attending a four-year university, community college, or vocational program. Awardees were recognized during the 2017 Reality Check Conference held at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.
The one-day conference, exclusively for participants of the LACDA pursuing higher education, focused on life-skills workshops, career panels, educational resources, and more. This year’s scholarship recipients included top high school graduates and first-generation college students aspiring to succeed in their chosen careers. Several of the students are pursuing studies within the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. The returning Master of Ceremonies, Lewis Dix, a local comedian, actor, and host, announced the 2017 scholarships winners, their field of study, and educational institution.
The event’s keynote speaker, Curglin Robertson, California State University Long Beach, Educational Opportunity Center Assistant Director, explained in detail the steps to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Attendees were very attentive and appreciated the tips on how to seek financial help for college.
The afternoon speaker, Dr. Helen Williams, Dean of Pepperdine University, and life- long educator, shared her story of college success and upbringing in a low-income household. Her words were both timely and inspiring for the college-bound students.
Throughout the day, attendees participated in workshops held by the University of California, Los Angeles, Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center, Citibank, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, East Los Angeles Community Corporation, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
The LACDF is celebrating its 20th year, offering HAR Scholarships as it fulfills its mission to end generational poverty in public housing and Section 8 by providing positive life-changing opportunities. Since 1997, nearly $306,600 in scholarships have been awarded by LACDF.
Scholarship funds are made possible through the generous donations of the California Community Foundation, Edison International, and the employees of the LACDA. To learn more about the LACDF, please contact Executive Director, Shelly Thompson, at (626) 586-1899, or visit www.lacdf.org.
All media may contact Elisa Vásquez, LACDA Public Information Officer, at (626) 586-1762.
June 30, 2017
LACDF recently received a Community Grant from Ronald McDonald House Southern CA. Grant funds will be used at The Growing Experience Environmental Resource Center for installation of a small teaching garden, nutrition workshops and healthy ingredients for an education program to promote healthy lifestyles for underserved youth residents at the Carmelitos public housing development. Above is a picture of the award presentation (pictured from left to right are Vince Bryson, CEO Ronald McDonald House Southern CA Chapter, Shelly Thompson, Executive Director Jimmy Ng, Grants Development and Willetta McCullough, CDF Board Member.)