University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

The UCLA Chapter sought to improve the disturbing drop-out rate present in the school system within an underserved Los Angeles community. Since they knew that they couldn’t provide the funding for outreach programs to make a noticeable dent, they opted to make an impact through the one thing that they could provide to students: motivation.

By working with teachers from a community elementary school, the Chapter organized an event which brought a hundred 5th grade students to the university’s campus for a fun filled day of activities & speaking sessions. Through their planned sessions, the Chapter members urged the students to stay in school & to believe in their dreams, no matter what precarious situations they see unfolding around them. We hope that this event stays with the kids, and that they can recall it when facing tough decisions in future years. Who knows? Perhaps in 7 years’ time they will all be attending a prestigious university like UCLA, studying to become doctors or lawyers (or perhaps social entrepreneurs, wink)!