As a first generation college student, I was able to receive both economic and emotional aid in my college process. They were extremely helpful in the transitional and application process.
I was an above average student with ambition to attend college. When introduced to the South Central Gifted Scholars Fund, as it was first called, it was to apply for the scholarship. I won and the opportunities have yet to stop. Not only did SCS provide me with "bridge" money to meet the gaps and shortfalls from my financial aid package, they provided me with a mentor. That mentor introduced me to financial services by offering me an internship with his firm, Merrill Lynch at the time. Not only did ML welcome SCS, they welcomed me and was genuinely interested in my development and success, thus SCS and ML shared similar goals for reaching youth like me. SCS provided money, mentorship and internship within my first year as a freshman.However, what was unique and different from other pgms that I won scholarships from was the "care packages" Trish would send me. My family couldnt afford to send care packages and I had no idea what it was until I got it but it made such a difference to know Trish, Dr. London and the Board, valued "sweet lil nothings" and they understood the value of creating an intimate relationship even though I was 3000 miles away from LA, trying to get a college education. That type of support wasnt mentioned in the scholarship application, but it was given because their approach was holistic. SCS understood that my success and theirs, depended on much more than just my grades. My overall wellbeing needed support and they provided it. Five of my mentors (3 formal and 2 informal) were from the SCS-Merrill Lynch circle and this was extremely valuable for my professional success. During college I earned and was afforded an opportunity for another internship at Merrill Lynch in New Jersey. Upon completion, I was offered a full-time job upon graduation from Princeton. Had it not been for SCS, Merrill Lynch, their partnership to create a college going culture for students like me and to put their money where their mouth was, I dont know if I would have had the same opportunities. I could have achieved them but I am not sure that I would have had the guidance, encouragement and access to do so with the same confidence as I had given my mentors and SCS. SCS is in the "changing lives" business and it changed mine. Now, I give back to this organization as a founding member of the Alumni Association and the Program Coordinator for the South Central Scholars Alumni Association's First College Access Institute where we, the Alumni, will teach 8th graders about college once a month for the next 8 months. The SCS Board has been 100% supportive of our ideas as Alumni and has given us autonomy to make an impact, as well as, the guidance and resources to employ that autonomy. With the help of SCS, I have grown and transitioned into entrepreneurship as the Founder and CEO of CommuniTree LLC, in New York City, NY, where I teach youth and adults about money and deliver one on one money management counseling for single parent and low income families and households with income less than $100,000.
This weekend was one of the most powerful eventsI have ever been a part of. To see all these eager intelligent young people interacting with professionals in fields they are striving to get into was amazing. I know that the future is bright with all these future leaders. I am going to be part of this event next year and can't wait.
This program is amazing. The vast majority of programs out there are designed to help disadvantaged students get INTO college. This is extremely important, because so many students fall through the cracks, not knowing college is in their future. Once those kids are in the world of college, however, there are few programs that are there to help them, and this group, often first generation, as well as low income, need the most support. This is where South Central Scholars comes in. Networking, job, and internship help, support of the committed staff and students, as well as financial help, this program does it all. This program serves as a support network to help students GRADUATE college and give back to their communities, helping to create a college-going culture in one of the most disadvantaged areas in the country. This program is life changing. I am a driven, passionate, intelligent adult. I know how important college is to my future. But I don't have anyone in my family to turn to to help me with financial aid applications. I didn't know I could go to college for free. I didn't know the little things- recommendations, networking, internships, I didn't know the big things like how to acclimate to a culture in which so many students are so unlike me, and aren't familiar with my background, my aspirations, my struggles. It is so wonderful to have a group of people who truly care, believe in me, and will do everything in their power to make sure I graduate college. Not crawling, struggling across the stage, but running, diving over the finish line a strong, confident, and successful adult. That is what South Central Scholars does for you.
The support I received from South Central Scholars while attending UC Santa Barbara was priceless. While I used my scholarship funds to purchase vital materials while in college, I use the lessons I have been taught by this organization every day. I was assigned a mentor who, to this day, remains my most trusted source of guidance. SCS is the only scholarship organization that kept in touch with me on an at least a monthly basis throughout my college career. When I was asked to serve as a Regional Director for the UC Santa Barbara campus, I immediately accepted the position. Through the Regional Director program, each campus is assigned a Director to assist current and former students when help is needed. Regional Directors host welcome back events, workshops, and provide guidance to students in need of assistance. The results have been amazing!
South Central Scholars really provided guidance as I moved from high school to college, in addition to the scholarship I received from them, they provide yearly workshops on how to succeed in college, manage finances, and network. South Central Scholars provides more than just a check, they are truly a support system, and care about the people they serve. I appreciate the effort they put into making school visits every year to check up on everyone, and the fact that they know everyones name.
This organization is definitely focused on its vision of supporting the inner city youth in their pursuit of collegiate success. The Board of Directors and Executive Committee are all driven, determined, and hard working. I am proud to be part of this organization.
SCS is truly an organization with heart. They are genuinely concerned for their students and want to see them all succeed like they were their own children. To see that personal connection made me feel really honored to be part of such a mover and shaker community that SCS has built!
As chairman of the Crail-Johnson Foundation I have worked for over twenty years on improving educational opportunities for the underserved children of South Los Angeles. Our foundation has a specific program emphasis area for helping the children of this community attend and succeed in the college or university of their choice. The South Central Scholars is one of the finest programs available to these children. They have a unique approach with direct one on one mentoring and support, in addition to financial and logistical aid. The success of their students speaks for itself.
Of all the scholarships I received as a senior in high school, this has been the only provider that has kept in touch and has continued to support us, not only through college, but also after college. Every year I am invited to picnics and seminars or any other events that could be beneficial to my success. The founders of this organization emphasize networking skills and try to enforce it through the different events held. During college Patricia London was kind enough to not only make sure we got our financial support, but she insisted in helping us find other support services in our university. Thank you for all you do SCGSF! :)
South Central Scholars works with students from the inner city of Los Angeles to help them attend the collge of their choice and to graduate from college and go on to graduate degrees. This is done through scholarships, mentors and internships. Financially the need of the inner students has never been greater with the economic downturn, the student aid packages are less and the impact is great on the poor. Most of the students are first generation college students. The graduates have formed an alumni organization and are going back and encouraging younger students to stay in school and to work towards grades that will allow them to attend colleges. SCS serves over 35 high schools and currnetly has 545 students enrolled in colleges all across the USA.
South Central Scholars is an amazing organization that works with students from underprivileged neighborhoods in the Los Angeles community who are going to college. Not only does the organization work to bridge the gap in financial aid packages to truly cover all expenses of a college education, but I feel the biggest impact it makes is in its mentoring program. Our students are often the first to attend college in their families. Many have never experienced life outside the inner city. And this is where I feel that South Central Scholars stands out. The organization works to ensure that students are given the resources and experiences they need to ensure their success in school.
I am UCLA alumni, and I have been served by the South Central Scholars Foundation since before the beginning of my freshman year. My first true experience with the organization was during the summer of 2006 in which students, staff and mentors met for a picnic. There we met friends and role models. On top of it all, every freshman was given a kit filled with useful things for the college experience. Since then, the South Central Scholars Foundation has grown, helping even more students have successful college careers. This organization is made up of dedicated individuals who work hard to provide support in every sense of the word to their scholars. They are there to listen, to guide, and to aid.
The South Central Scholars Foundation is an incredible organization that has helped many inner city students to achieve their educational and career goals. I have worked on the charity since its founding and have seen the lives that have been touched by the organization and the great people involved. All of the people invovled with this organization truly care about the people they serve. Jim and Trish London, Meredith Curry, and Randy Winston have done an amazing job!
This organization is amazing!!! Not only did they assist me through school with monetary needs but they also supplied me with a computer. They have different events that allow me to socialize and network with others that are in my field (anthropology and mortuary science) to further my advancement. This is a great organization!
The students are in need of relevant advice, guidance, and sounding board conversations. A safe Harbor of sorts that is trusting and clearly only with the best interest of the student in mind. In many instances the sphere of their communications restricted to peers which is very helpful but often shy of more experienced points of view and and possible alternatives and suggestions.
The Liner Law Firm along with the founders of the South Central Scholars fun, Jim and Trish London, provide financial as well as mentoring assistance for high academic achieving seniors in South Central Los Angeles. These are kids who have everything going for them except money (e.g. high SAT/ACT test scores, high grade point averages, partial and sometimes, full scholarships) but don't have the money to cover the fundamentals (airfare, books, lab fees, the shortfall of a scholarship). What a shame to get so far in your life as to receive a scholarship college but be unable to afford the airfare to get there! The folks at South Central Scholars are making dreams come true and this firm is proud to assist in small part.
As a beneficiary of the South Central Gifted Scholarship Fund, I can testify first-hand to the organization's diligence in helping college bound students from low-income neighborhoods achieve the education necessary to rise above the predetermined fate that society tends to impart onto them. SCGF goes above and beyond to make sure that all the students that it takes on achieve their educational and professional goals.
As a native angelena, giving back to the LA community has been of great importance to me. It has also been a struggle: while Los Angeles is blessed with community support by non-profits of all stripes, many are plagued poor organization/management. It's no surprise to me that SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOLARS FOUNDATION (SCS) is growing by leaps and bounds, and that its alumni is deeply loyal: in the time that I have supported SCS, I have been impressed with the extraordinary work of its management team. Here's the reason why: Impeccable programming: SCS annual fundraiser, 2-day scholar conference/seminars are some of the most professional events I've ever attended. Additionally, the informal SCS socials are accessible, pleasant and fun, and give me a good sense of the scholarship recipients, their aspirations and how SCS has made a difference in their lives. Many students are articulate, have strong social skills, a positive outlook and feel strongly supported. Great communication/outreach: the SCS website is well-designed and full of great information for uninitiated. My volunteer orientation and welcome package was comprehensive and executive staff responded immediately to all my questions. My feedback with regard to my mentees is appreciated, and I've seen SCS staff take concrete steps to address any concerns I have. I believe SCS's success can be attributed to the vision and dedication of its founding team, namely Jim & Trish London, and its very engaged advisory board. Meredith Curry, SCS Executive Director, is a rare pearl. She has been adept at harnessing online tools and social networks to ensure effective training for volunteers and excellent event project management. And, she still has time to thank volunteers for their contribution! I am very proud to be part of this organization, dedicated to helping economically-stressed high school kids through college.
When a close friend of mine told me about South Central Scholars and what the organization was doing for motivated students from Los Angeles, I immediately wanted to get involved. South Central Scholars help motivated students achieve their dreams and beyond when they do not have the resources to do so on their own. SCS provides Scholarship support and mentoring so that these amazing students can realize their goals as college students and ultimately in their careers. Being a Mentor for any of the South Central Scholars is an honor and has been such an incredibly rewarding experience to watch these scholars attain their highest goals.