The Antelope Valley Times

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County awards scholarships to 28 public housing and Section 8 participants

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The county recently awarded college scholarships up to $1,000 to 28 public housing and section 8 participants to help make their educational and career goals a reality. Lancaster resident Mera Zakhary received a scholarship to attend Antelope Valley College to pursue a science degree. (Photo courtesy Los Angeles County.)
The county recently awarded college scholarships up to $1,000 to 28 public housing and Section 8 participants to help make their educational and career goals a reality. Lancaster resident Mera Zakhary received a scholarship to attend Antelope Valley College to pursue a science degree. (Photo courtesy Los Angeles County.)

LOS ANGELES  – As the new school year starts, many families are faced with the challenge of paying fees for tuition, books, and transportation.

Through a partnership between the Housing Authority of the County of Los Angeles (HACoLA) and the Los Angeles County Community Development Foundation (CDF), 28 individuals who participate in HACoLA’s Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs received assistance to help make their educational and career goals a reality.

This year, over 50 Section 8 participants and Public Housing residents submitted applications for the Housing Authority Resident (HAR) Scholarship to the CDF.  Each applicant was carefully screened and 28 awardees were selected to receive grants valued at $750 or $1,000, to be used to attend a 4-year university, community college, or vocational program.

Among those selected is Lancaster resident Mera Zakhary, who received a $750 grant to pursue a science degree at Antelope Valley College.

The scholarship awards can be used toward tuition, books, equipment such as computers, and any other school related expenses.

This year’s awardees will attend 4-year schools such as the University of California at Berkley, California State University, Los Angeles, Whittier College, Cornell, Pepperdine, and DePaul University in Chicago; as well as local colleges in East Los Angeles,  Long Beach and the Antelope Valley.  Students will pursue careers in criminal justice, medicine, social work, nursing, and engineering, among others.

Sean Rogan, HACoLA Executive Director stated, “It is an honor to celebrate the commitment these young men and women have made to bettering their future.  Education is the key to success, and HACoLA, its employees, and partners are happy to support them in achieving their goals.”

The CDF partners with HACoLA to achieve its mission of “Inspiring Public Housing and Section 8 Residents by Providing Life Changing Opportunities.”  It is dedicated to improving the quality of life of low-income persons.  Since 1997, the CDF has provided scholarships to nearly 200 students pursuing a higher education.

For more information on the CDF, or the HAR Scholarship fund, contact Jennifer Blackwell-Trotter at 626-586-1899.

(Information via press release from the County of Los Angeles.)

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21 comments for "County awards scholarships to 28 public housing and Section 8 participants"

  1. I want to know why our tax dollars that went to housing the poor are now being used for schooling. Why was it only section8 that were chosen. How about the poor people who make just over the limit but are still poor. Why were they singled out? Who decided to use my tax dollars to send these people to school? Why didn’t I get a redund if it was excess money? That’s what these HATERS are talking about.

  2. First let us erase the stigma and hate. Everyone deserves opportunity. There comes a time in all our lives in which circumstances may happen. The programs are designed to help and support. I congratulate HACOLA, Jennifer and the recipients for continued success in making opportunity available. That is the strength of community, coming together for better.

  3. All life is, is one big crapshoot. heck just the fact that you are reading this means that you were given a much more fair hand in life than SO many others around the world. So don’t be a hater.

  4. People complain about every single thing even when someone is trying to better themselves. I’m so sick of people. Always negative. Always seeing the worst in every single situation.

    • How dare those mean people complain that the money THEY earned is being used so that YOU can better yourself. If only there was a way YOU could better yourself without politician backed theft of workers money. Oh wait there is, you could get a JOB and pay to better yourself with your own money.

  5. Cornell and Pepperdine? Wow that $1000 is going to go real far at those colleges.

    What annoys me is that there are already grants out there that are rather easy to get. Pell grants even award money to people who do work, just not as more. Then there is the Board of Governor’s which will cover the cost of tuition.

  6. This is what sickens me about the state of California, handout after handout. While my husband and every other person works there ass off. Why work when you get everything for free, give scholarships to people who earn them ( hard working ) not ones who get help for everything. This is disgusting!! I cant wait until we retire and we’re out of here!!

  8. Thank you for allowing me to live in public housing, I still pay $678 a month for rent, plus utilities and the building is about 40 years old. I do like it here though.

  9. Why would anyone have a problem, with someone getting an education? It’s called “Hate” for mankind. Brenda @ Ijs act as if they are the only one’s that work and pay taxes. I’m sure they would hate to be truly poor & poverty stricken. The hate is still alive and well in the AV. Glad I left, and I guess they weren’t taught better.

    • I am sorry your parents were incapable of teaching concered what it makes her/him when he/she assumes. You do not know me, where I live, my work status, my money status, or how I “act”. I am glad you moved too, now you can go make an a** out of yourself in other cities.

  10. Jealousy is a disease..get well soon. Be happy for these people, for some attending college is a dream come true. Don’t be rude…Didn’t you ever learn if you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all???!!! Oh and trust me it is nice to only pay $2.oo for rent ;)

    • Nobody is jealous of people who need to take from others to fulfill their dreams, except perhaps the people who didnt get the free money for doing absolutely nothing. Feel free to live your dreams all you like, by working for them.

    • must be nice to get a scholarship and be on public assistant and section 8, where your rent is two dollars, and you can get medical, food & now scholarship’s. Brenda why are we working +____+ seems like we would be better off quitting our jobs and joining them.. I work so they can enjoy my taxes right at home, and get things I cannot afford because I am to busy taking care of them with my taxes.

      • I see by the replies that the takers of this world have plenty of time to hate on those of us that pay their way through this world. Concerned and Haters a simple thank you for letting me be lazy would be nice once in a while.