The Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation (LACDF) awarded $28,000 in Housing Authority Resident (HAR) Scholarships to 28 public housing and Section 8 participants attending a four-year university, community college, or vocational program. Awardees were recognized during the 2019 Reality Check Conference held at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.

The one-day conference, held exclusively for participants of the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) pursuing higher education, focused on life skills, workshops, career panels, and educational resources. Scholarship recipients included top high school graduates and first generation college students aspiring to succeed in their chosen careers. Several of the graduates are pursuing studies with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.

Christian Daly, Assistant Field Deputy for Los Angeles County’s Fifth Supervisorial District, served as Master of Ceremonies. Having experience as a Hollywood actor and graduating with honors from the Master of Public Policy program at Pepperdine University, Mr. Daly was both entertaining and inspirational to the students.

Monique King-Viehland, LACDA Executive Director and keynote speaker, said, “We want to help individuals not only make a living, but to live the life of their choice. Working with LACDF to provide HAR scholarships to participants is about opportunity. An opportunity for recipients to further their education, an opportunity to pursue their career of interest, and an opportunity to reinvest in the community.”

Throughout the day, attendees participated in workshops held by the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, Kaiser Permanente, Project SOAR, and Alma Family Services.

The LACDF is celebrating its sixth year offering the Reality Check Conference and Scholarship Awards Luncheon at The California Endowment. Since 1997, nearly $350,000 in scholarships have been awarded by LACDF.

Scholarship funds are made possible through the generous donations of the Aleshire & Wynder LLP, California Community Foundation, Edison International, and the employees of LACDA.

For more information on LACDF, please contact Shelly Thompson, LACDF Executive Director, at (626) 586-1899.