Social Justice Learning Institute Receives Boeing Crystal Vision Award to End Youth Violence
Grant award will expand Urban Scholars program availability for 50 additional students
INGLEWOOD, CA. (Nov. 6, 2013) – Selected by Boeing employee board members of the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of Boeing California, the Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) received the ECF Crystal Vision Award on Tuesday, Nov. 5, in Seal Beach.
“The purpose of the 2013 Crystal Vision grants fund is to engender creativity and innovation around the theme of ‘Youth Violence Prevention,'” said Boeing ECF Executive Director Carrie Swanson. “The goal is to seed or grow nonprofits’ abilities to provide innovative programs that give hope, encouragement, alternatives to violence, and a safe haven and address the root causes that lead youth to join gangs.”
SJLI specializes in culturally relevant learning, teaching, and curriculum development, which supports positive identity growth, increased academic achievement, and expanded opportunities for civic participation for young men of color.
“This recognition by Boeing employees through their Employees Community Fund is an honor, and a vote of confidence in the work we do, as well as the community we serve,” said SJLI Founder and Executive Director, D’Artagnan Scorza. “We know all youth are capable of being scholars. Our work gives youth an alternative to the violence and gangs that exist in urban communities.”
Urban Scholars is an innovative academic course, which is built directly into a campus’ academic calendar. The program produces a 95 percent high school graduation rate, and an 85 percent college attendance rate. To date, 250 Urban Scholars have participated in the program and post-secondary education at institutions such as the Western New Mexico University, Central Arizona College, Southern Illinois University and universities throughout the California State system.
ABOUT SJLI:
The Social Justice Learning Institute (SJLI) works to fundamentally improve the lives of urban communities of color. To achieve this goal, SJLI helps individuals and groups build their capacity to assess injustices, and then use their own agency to advocate for, and achieve, health and educational equity.
ABOUT ECF:
The Employees Community Fund of Boeing California(“ECF”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, owned and operated by Boeing employees for the purpose of positively impacting communities where Boeing employees live and work through a pooled contribution fund. A Board of Directors comprised of Boeing employee contributors determines how the pooled funds will be invested in Southern California. The Boeing Company provides all of the administrative support through pro bono professional services, so that every dollar employees’ donate is invested directly in our communities in Southern California. For more information about ECF, go to http://www.ecfboeingca.org/.
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