JVS SoCal, a leading human services agency focused on workforce development, presented scholarships to 237 Jewish students at an award ceremony held at Sinai Temple on July 24. This year the scholarships ranged from $2,000 to $10,000, for a total of $950,000.
The Scholarship Program provides a bridge of opportunity for Jewish students affected by the growing costs of higher education. “This program is successful because of its volunteers and how much they care about their work and the scholars that benefit from it,” said Jonathan A. Karp, JVS SoCal Board Chair and Co-Chair of the Scholarship Committee.
This is the 54th year the agency has awarded these need-based scholarships as part of a legacy devoted to Jewish continuity. To date, the JVS SoCal Scholarship Program has awarded $15.2 million to over 6,500 students.
As part of the selection process, participants are matched with donors or funds that meet each student needs, alleviating the burden of educational debt. Xela Brainin Godinez, a featured speaker during the event and current Scholarship recipient, thanked her donors for helping support her undergraduate studies at California State University Channel Islands. “Thanks to JVS SoCal, I’ve been able to say ‘yes’ to growth opportunities without being weighed down by financial stress.”
Jeff Carr, JVS SoCal’s Chief Executive Officer, congratulated the students honored at the event, “You are a reminder that despite whatever chaos that is going around, that we have a future, we have a destiny, we have a purpose,” he said. The ceremony concluded with a networking reception where many recipients had the opportunity to meet their respective donors.
About JVS SoCal:
JVS SoCal is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve sustainable employment and financial independence. With a wide range of career training, employment and human services, JVS SoCal helps people across Southern California realize their professional potential.
If you’d like to help other students achieve their goals of a higher education, please consider supporting our Scholarship fund.