The Light & Achievement Educational Foundation (LAEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support to Southern California communities in the areas of education, leadership development, and health awareness.
WHAT WE DO
EDUCATION & LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
SCHOOL SUPPLY DONATION
LAEF donates school supplies to low-income students and schools. This program serves as an invaluable resource to the children by:
-
Affording children with quick and easy access to reference materials and other studying aids and tools that will help them in their educational endeavors;
-
Assisting the shelters, centers, schools and hospitals in their eff orts to meet some of the educational needs of the children and young adults housed at the facilities.
YOUTH SYMPOSIUM
​​
The annual Youth Symposium highlights some of the prevalent concerns that impact youth daily as well as creates dialogue, generates opportunities for youth to connect to community resources, and provides inspiration for making long-lasting positive change. The symposium equips those in attendance with the skills and competencies to advocate for themselves and includes workshops/activities centered around topics including college readiness, social and legislative actions/resources, financial literacy, teen pregnancy prevention, self-esteem, and many more.
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
In today's global economy, higher education is no longer a luxury for the privileged few, but a necessity for individual economic opportunity. At the same time, college has never been more expensive. The Light & Achievement Educational Foundation provides academic scholarships to students entering and attending four-year universities.
HEALTH AWARENESS
PRENATAL EDUCATION
​
Having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best ways to promote a healthy birth. Light & Achievement's Prenatal Education events seek to improve pregnancy outcomes in high-risk communities by increasing the number of women of childbearing age who receive adequate prenatal education, care, and resources. This annual event takes place every third Saturday in January in conjunction with National Birth Defects Awareness Month.
WOMEN'S WELLNESS
​
LAEF's Women’s Wellness Initiative is geared toward creating steps to make long term commitments toward wellness
and well-being. We seek to provide relevant information and education on issues such as mental health, domestic and intimate partner abuse, stress management, nutrition, and much more.
SWIM CLINICS
Sixty-four percent of black children cannot swim; they drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their white peers, according to USA Swimming. The Light & Achievement Educational Foundation partners with local organizations and communities by providing swim clinics and swim lessons to address this disparity.