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The LifeWorks Scholarship Program
offers financial support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender members of
LifeWorks who desire to attend a post-secondary education program. This is consistent with LifeWorks’ mission to
inspire the next generation of LGBT youth to reach their full potential.
The Scholarship Program focuses its
giving on youth who have shown promise and potential and, without financial
support, might not otherwise succeed.
For many of our members, attending a program of higher education is
financially unfeasible. For them, the
traditional source of support – the family – is either non-existent or
significantly damaged. LifeWorks
programs fill the gap in these youths’ support systems by providing
opportunities with adult and peer mentors, life skills training and social
activities. All workshops, trainings and
opportunities fall within our five achievement areas – health, education,
career, home and personal development.
The availability of scholarships greatly enhances our ability to aid in
their successful transition to adulthood and a life full of possibilities.
The Scholarship Program assesses the
whole of the youth, taking in to account academic achievement, extracurricular
activities, community involvement, and demonstrated financial need. Award amounts will vary, as applicants will
have differing needs. Expenses eligible
for funding will include tuition, books, fees, and room and board. In addition, careful consideration is given
to mitigating factors that may have interfered with the youth’s ability to
realize a higher level of achievement.
In our society, LGBT youth in significant numbers experience rejection
by family and friends and experience hostile communities and school
environments. As a result, they are many
times more likely to experience clinical depression, engage in substance abuse,
and face bullying, harassment and violence in school. In fact, over 80% of LGBT youth report
experiencing multiple incidents of threatening behavior in the classroom and on
school grounds.
Any LGBT youth in the community is
eligible to apply for funds through the LifeWorks Scholarship Program. Successful applicants must be current members
or must become members of LifeWorks, participate in the one on one mentoring
program and attend two LifeWorks activities each month if they remain in the
Greater Los Angeles area. This will
ensure that youth have ongoing support from LifeWorks for the successful
completion of their chosen program of higher education. They will also be expected to attend the
Center’s annual Anniversary Gala and LifeWorks’ annual Life Out Loud event.
2010 Scholarship Applications are due by Wednesday August 4th, 2010 at 5 p.m. PST. Awards will be announced in mid-August.
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements >
2010 Scholarship Application >
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