Break it to Make it: One donor’s story of inspiration and investment through the Give a Credit campaign

It all started with an email. On November 17, 2023, the Los Angeles City College Foundation (LACCF) reached out to their online community and invited them to “Give a Credit” and support hardworking students at LA City College (LACC). Sterling Franklin, a generous donor to LACCF and a Trustee of the Morris S. Smith Foundation, received the email and his interest was piqued.

One course credit at LACC costs $46, and typically a student needs 60 credits or $2,760 to transfer to a four-year college or graduate with an A.A. or A.S. degree. The campaign asks supporters to consider “giving credits” to the foundation to support students. The email announced a matching gift of $20,000 as well, which doubles the impact of every gift up to $20,000 made by December 31, so Sterling jumped into action. Sterling said, “I was so excited about the ‘Give a Credit’ campaign and the matching gift which meant my donation would be matched dollar for dollar that I decided to give $2,760 from the Morris S. Smith Foundation to help LACC students.”

Serendipitously, while he was on campus in October 2023, Sterling met Dr. Carol Kozeracki, the LACC Dean of Liberal Arts and the head of the LACC “Break It to Make It” (BITMI) Program. Break It to Make It is a unique program that assists formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into their communities and achieve long-term self-sufficiency by raising their educational aspirations, providing them with needed support services, and building their social capital. Dr. Kozeracki shared with Sterling the incredible impact the BITMI Program has on students, and how difficult it has been to find funding for their tuition. Then, in November, he received the LACC email that described the “Give a Credit” campaign.

After giving his initial gift of $2,760, Sterling decided to invest in the future of the LACC BITMI students by establishing the “Jonathan Scott Franklin Endowment Fund” by giving an endowment gift of $69,000, which will be invested by the LACC Foundation. The endowment will generate $2,760 investment income spendable payout each year to provide Scott Franklin Awards to students in the BITMI program.

Sterling said, “The ‘Give a Credit’ fund raising campaign encouraged me to make a one-time gift of $2,760, but the opportunity to support these students who are working hard to get their LACC diplomas inspired me to make a lasting impact by establishing an endowment fund, and I would love for others to join me in this support.” This generous gift truly will change lives, and if you would like to make a contribution to the Jonathan Scott Franklin Endowment Fund to support students in the Break it to Make it program, please reach out to the Los Angeles City College Foundation Director of Development, Shannon Cassidy at Cassids@lacitycollege.edu or 323.953.4000 ext. 2492 and she would be happy to help.

Thank you, Sterling, for your continuing dedication to and support of Los Angeles City College.

About the LACC “Break It to Make It” Program: This important Program provides many services and activities for students who were formerly incarcerated. BITMI does outreach to local detention centers and re-entry homes to tell prospective students about LACC’s educational and training opportunities. Students receive academic and career counseling, tutoring, peer mentoring, and referrals to needed resources on and off campus; they participate in field trips and educational excursions; and engage in a student support group. In fall, 2023, the LACC BITMI Program has over 150 students enrolled.

Los Angeles City College empowers students from the diverse communities it serves to achieve their educational and career goals by providing learner-centered pathways to success through transfer, career and technical education, and foundational skills programs. The Break It to Make It Program students who enroll at LACC receive assistance and resources including:

· Educational Counseling: Academic advisement and assistance in course selection, development of a Student Educational Plan, Personal Development Classes, referral to appropriate student services, and Career Planning.

· Financial Aid: Students receive information and assistance in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, and the California Promise Tuition and Fee Waiver Application, and help with tuition, fees, and costs.

· Peer to Peer Support: Meet with other students for support and collaboration for success.

· Books and Supplies. Students receive vouchers.

· Health and Wellness Center: Basic primary and non-emergency care, health care counseling, emotional and behavioral counseling, family planning, a tuberculosis skin test, and referrals.