Last week the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) hosted its final 2022 STEM career panel at Dodger Stadium, which was part of their College and Career Accelerator (CCA) program, an initiative designed to introduce high school students in underserved communities to college and career opportunities through panels, seminars, workshops and college tours.
“So many of the young adults we serve lack knowledge of and access to careers in STEM fields,” LADF chief executive officer Nichol Whiteman said.
“With our College & Career Accelerator series, we are addressing inequities in education by exposing youth to opportunities to succeed beyond high school. This year alone, we awarded $340,000 in grants to nonprofits that provide college and career education and accessibility and launched our first-ever LADF scholarship through a $1 million investment to support 10 scholars annually with four-year support.”
The STEM sessions comprised of advisors reviewing a variety of topics including college readiness, financial aid, the importance of extracurricular activities, and how to select a college major. The career panel for the event at Dodger Stadium included LADF chief operating officer Chaitali Gala Mehta.
The 2022 CCA series included four workshops hosted at Dodger Stadium, Centennial High School, and University of Southern California (USC), along with two college tours at USC and El Camino Community College.
In total, more than 700 youth participated in the workshops and and tours throughout the city this year.
In effort to address inequities in education throughout Los Angeles, the LADF partnered with the USC College Advising Corps as a program service provider to arrange college workshops for the Dodgers Dreamteam and grantee youth. The presentations covered a wide variety of topics including college applications, financial aid, and making the transition to post-secondary education.
Earlier this year, 76 and the LADF partnered to raise money and awareness for STEM programs.
Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation gives back
Along with working to improve education, the Dodgers’ official foundation spent the year providing meals and essential items to underserved communities.
Most recently, the LADF was accompanied by Mookie Betts, Alex Vesia, Yency Almonte and Orel Hershiser at two events to serve Thanksgiving meals.
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