Edison International Awards $25,000 Grant to The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles
Funds Help Support Academic Enrichment and College & Career Prep Programming
Los Angeles, CA – February 12, 2013: The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles (IHADLA) is thrilled to announce that Edison International has awarded the organization a $25,000 grant to fund its Academic Enrichment and College & Career Prep Programming. IHADLA adopts an entire grade at an inner-city, Title 1 school and stays with those students, called Dreamers, for over ten years. The organization provides after-school and summer programs, academic and cultural enrichment, counseling services, arts instruction, etc., and then guarantees a scholarship for college or career training upon graduation from high school. This funding from Edison International will support college site visits, field trips, diverse academic enhancement partnerships, much-needed supplies, and more for Dreamers in the 3rd, 6th and 7th grades.
Southern California Edison representatives, David Ford and Marvin Jackmon along with Rocio Hernandez, a representative from the office of Councilman Huizar, 14th District, visited 99th Street Elementary in Watts to deliver the check and meet the newest class of Dreamers. An oversized check was presented to IHADLA Executive Director Katy Garretson and the third grade Dreamers, who were awestruck by its size and amount. This is the second year in a row that Edison has supported IHADLA. In 2012, IHADLA received a grant in the amount of $15,000 to support educational software and other programming costs.
“We are grateful that Edison recognizes the impact of our work and the benefit it provides for the children and the entire community,” said Garretson.
“Edison International is pleased to support the “I Have a Dream” Foundation,” said David Ford, Local Public Affairs Region Manager for Southern California Edison. “This partnership enables us to maximize educational opportunities for students in need of academic support. Together, Edison International and the “I Have a Dream” Foundation are helping students gain the skills and confidence needed to achieve success. Since 2009, Edison International has given more than $34 million to education programs that help students excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”
Edison International’s support of charitable causes is entirely funded by shareholders. Southern California Edison customers do not pay for donations in their utility bills.
The “I Have a Dream” Foundation – Los Angeles helps children from underserved schools in impoverished communities have a better life and get a good education. The Foundation sponsors an entire grade at an inner-city, Title 1 elementary school, and stays with those students for over ten years, providing after-school and summer programs, academic and cultural enrichment, counseling services, arts instruction, mentors and tutors. Upon high school graduation, IHADLA then provides each Dreamer a scholarship for college or career training. The Dreamer graduating class of 2010 boasts a 94% high school graduation rate, and 96% of those are now in college or vocational school.
There are currently four active IHADLA program sites: third graders in Watts, sixth and seventh graders in Inglewood, and high school seniors in East Los Angeles.
About Edison International
Edison International, through its subsidiaries, is a generator and distributor of electric power and an investor in infrastructure and energy assets, including renewable energy. Headquartered in Rosemead, Calif., Edison International is the parent company of Southern California Edison.
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Media Contacts:
Katy Garretson
Executive Director, IHADLA
T: 213-572-0175
Angela Moore
T: 310-429-8868
angela@starfish-pr.com