Los Angeles Southwest College Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation 501 (c)(3) organized to provide specialized programs and supportive services including but not limited to — resources for initiatives, programs and scholarships through fundraising activities directly benefiting the college's students, faculty and staff while committed to making higher education attainable. The dedicated efforts of our eighteen board members supports our future leaders and ensures social equity for our students who are most in need, be it because of food scarcity, homelessness, or the lack of a support system.
The Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) Foundation exists for times like these. Times defined by crisis and great need. We are living through an unprecedented moment in time, but we are inspired by the equally unprecedented commitment to responding to the needs of the most vulnerable amongst us. The World Health Organization declared the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. The LASC Foundation board responded by partnering with #HashtagLunchbag and Beyond Meat to distribute grocery store gift cards and over 1100 meals to our scholars, their families and the local South Los Angeles Community throughout the months of April and May of 2020. In June, we held a virtual event with over 300 attendees, which helped raise money for our scholarship fund. While we are proud of our response, we need your help as we continue to step up in 2021.
Today, roughly 75 percent of LASC’s students are first-generation college students, 97 percent are students of color, and 85 percent need financial aid. The socioeconomic factors affecting LASC students, calls for strong commitment in facilitating and supporting an environment of excellence. Given the residual effects of COVID-19 and its impact on our scholars, the need is still apparent for consistent resources. We are raising $20,000 through our crowdfunding campaign to provide scholarships for students transferring to 4-Year Universities; moving on to Coding Bootcamps and other career opportunities; food sources, laptops, internet hotspots, and noise-cancelling headphones to allow a quiet space to complete work.
We certainly hope you realize the positive impact you can make through supporting the efforts of the Foundation to support our future leaders and ensure social equity in our communities—working collectively toward that goal. We thank you in advance for your consideration to help us support our LASC scholars. If you have any questions, feel free to reach us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.lasouthwestcollegefoundation.org to learn more info.