Lynwood – Lynwood Unified received a $50,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center that will allow the District to increase college readiness through new programs, award scholarships to students and provide additional financial support to inspire success in higher education.

The grant is a part of the Healthcare Scholarships & College Completion Initiative, which provides support for students pursuing college. The program allows the District to combat barriers to higher education success, such as affordability, lack of access and limited learning tools.

“We believe that all students and their families deserve the same opportunity to pursue the highest level of education and achieve the life they dream of,” LUSD Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite said. “As a District, we continue to work to even the playing field, and Kaiser Permanente is partnering with us to help empower young people to achieve their goals.”
As a part of the program, Lynwood Unified will award scholarships to 10 students this spring: Five students pursuing an allied health, medical or public health degree will be awarded $5,000; five more scholars attending community college will receive $1,000.

An additional $5,000 will be set aside to provide small grants to college students facing challenges related to housing, food, transportation, books, tuition and technology.

Lastly, the grant will fund college preparation through summer bridge programs and a new annual community college CTE fair. This year’s inaugural event will be held Feb. 22 at Firebaugh High School.

Also, Kaiser Permanente partners with the District through a Biomedical Science & Nursing program, a Career Technical Education Pathway program at Lynwood and Firebaugh high schools. The collaboration serves elementary and middle school students through the Early Individualized Mental Health Project, which provides occupational therapy and assessments to a select group of students and their families.

The Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation helped the District secure the partnership with Kaiser Permanente which has led to both grants.

“Communities with strong educational opportunities are healthier and we are proud to partner with the District,” said Jim Branchick, senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center. “We know it’s more impactful when Kaiser Permanente partners with organizations that share our vision of community health.”

Lynwood Unified has continued to focus on student success in college and future careers, and recently increased its District graduation rate by more than 6 percentage points to 90.8 percent, according to recently released California data.

“Our students continue to reach new heights, and it’s our responsibility as leaders to keep growing their opportunities for advancement,” LUSD Board President Gary Hardie Jr. said. “The Healthcare Scholarships & College Completion Initiative is an exciting new program that adds to the culture of success in Lynwood Unified.”

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012120_LUSD_COLLEGE: Lynwood Unified will award scholarships to 10 students this spring after receiving a $50,000 grant from Kaiser Permanente Downey Medical Center that will allow the District to increase college readiness.