Donor Spotlight: Jeanne Pritzker and Foster Care Counts

Thursday, October 9th, 2014 in category Uncategorized by LACCFoundation

Last December, members of the Guardian Scholars Program for emancipated foster youth were given beautifully wrapped gifts at the annual holiday celebration. One young man opened a present that contained a pair of pajamas and a brightly colored sweatshirt. While other young people might take such gifts for granted, he ran his hands slowly over the soft flannel pajamas and held up the sweatshirt and with a broad smile said, “Now I don’t have to worry about being cold.” Because of Foster Care Counts, the more than 50 students gathered that day experienced joy and gained the knowledge that someone cared about them. During a season often filled with loneliness and longing for family, these youth had that feeling of family due to the generosity of one cutting-edge organization.

Thanks to Jeanne Pritzker and Foster Care Counts, Guardian Scholars at LACC receive support throughout the year. Foster Care Counts provides resources for computers, transportation for college tours, supplies, food for events and meetings, and stipends for students who meet academic goals. Most important—students are able to get their textbooks through a voucher system supported by funding from Foster Care Counts.

Academic success for foster youth is elusive and hard won. Less than 5% of foster youth earn a college degree. Foster Care Counts provides the help these youth need to succeed and thrive. The organization is expanding its support for this vulnerable population by creating networks of institutions of higher education that work together to improve the outcomes for these students. LACC is proud to be connected to the schools in its network—the University of Southern California, Los Angeles Trade Technical College and West Los Angeles College—and to Foster Care Counts. Together, we can make a difference and help foster youth earn certificates, degrees, and/or transfer to four-year colleges and universities.

Join us on Monday, November 3rd, as Los Angeles City College Foundation recognizes Jeanne Pritzker, and the organization she founded, Foster Care Counts.

2014 LACC Foundation Gala

This year’s Gala is Monday, November 3, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. In celebrating the success of our alumni, we will present awards to four remarkable individuals for their significant contributions to LACC and our community.

This year, our honorees are alumni David and Merryl Alpert, for their longtime support of LACC’s music students; Dr. Lula Ballton, CEO of West Angeles Community Development Corporation; and Steven Lebowitz, President of G & L Development.

In addition, we will recognize Jeanne Pritzker and Foster Care Counts for extraordinary support of LACC’s Guardian Scholars Program for emancipated foster youth.