Kids Progress Inc., The Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) and Southern California College Access Network (SoCAL CAN) hosted its 2017 Project SOAR Summer Opportunity Workshop for youth living in public housing developments. This all day workshop included a panel of speakers to address topics such as: Post-Secondary Options: College and Career; Paying for College: Financial Aid; Pathways to Careers; and Financial Literacy.
“This is the first time we received resources from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and partnered with an organization called SoCal CAN to work with all of you to help give you a path forward on preparing for higher education” said Douglas Guthrie, CEO and President of HACLA. Project SOAR (Students + Opportunities + Achievements = Results) is an intensive college guidance program targeted to youth ages 15-20 residing in participating public housing communities across the City. “Everyone here is our future. You’re going to be future leaders in your community, city, state, country. Future global leaders as well. Think Big. Dream Big. That’s what you need to do.”
At five participating public housing communities, Education Navigators will provide assistance to public housing youth in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) completion, financial literacy and college readiness, post-secondary program applications and post-acceptance assistance as well as one-on-one counseling. “Project SOAR will be available to you on your project housing site so you can come in and see one of your education navigators to sit down one-on-one to explain your financial award letter.”
Dodgers Alumni Dennis Powell was the keynote speaker for the event. Powell talked about how he grew up in a small town where people did drugs but he did not let the environment define him. Instead, he focused on his passion- playing baseball- which gave him the opportunity to be scouted to the Dodgers.
“Don’t let your environment define who you are. You’re more than that. Passion is what is going to drive you when you’re dreaming big. No one has to tell you to do things when you’re passionate,” said Powell. “You just go do it.”
Powell reiterated that growing up in a public housing should not hinder the youth from dreaming big and encouraged them to take advantage of the resources provided.
“You know how to silence critics? By success. You don’t punch them, you don’t fight them, you don’t go at them. You use your skills and talents. That’s what Dream Big, Work Hard is all about. You got to work hard and your dreams will come true. You’re the only person that can stop you from succeeding.”
In addition, 21 graduating high-school seniors living in HACLA’s housing developments were awarded the Kids Progress, Inc. scholarship to help them pursue higher education. Jennifer Alvarado, one of the scholarship recipients, grew up in HACLA’s Imperial Courts was accepted to Boston College. She shared a video message since she could not attend the event to accept her check as she is required to participate in the University’s summer program.
“I would like to thank HACLA for the KPI Scholarship that would benefit me with my academics in Boston College. I would like to encourage all to take advantage of your resources and always reach out for help,” said Alvarado.
In the fall, the scholarship recipients will be attending a wide range of schools such as UCLA, Boston College, UC Riverside, UC Davis, Cal Lutheran, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, Cal State Fullerton, San Jose State University, East Los Angeles College, and West Los Angeles College.