JVS SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS OVERCOME
FINANCIAL, PERSONAL HARDSHIPS

The cost of gas is on the rise. Homes are being foreclosed. Industries such as mortgage lending and construction are tanking. With all these concerns, there is one that many parents face above all others: the rising cost of education. The JVS Scholarship Fund, which to date has awarded over $4 million to more than 3,000 needy Jewish students, has sought to alleviate this burden since 1972, believing that education is the first step to career and financial independence. This year, on July 16, JVS (Jewish Vocational Service) will award nearly $375,000 in need-based scholarships to182 outstanding local Jewish students at a special ceremony at UCLA Hillel.
Between 1996 and 2006, the cost of attendance for undergraduates increased 38% at four-year private colleges, and 28% at public institutions. Most students carry an average debt of over $21,000 by the time they finish school, not counting graduate or masters programs.

However, the recipients of JVS’ Scholarship Fund are faced with more than just financial hardship. Often, they are providing the sole financial support for their family and many of them come from backgrounds of poverty, abuse or homes where one or more parent suffers from medical illness. Despite these barriers, many of the students show a desire to give back to the community, or help others in their situation, which often impacts their choice of a field of study.

“Our students have overcome tremendous obstacles just to pursue an education. Which is why, unlike many other faith-based scholarships, we place no limits on what our students have to study, or even where they can attend school. Our only requirements are that they be Jewish, reside in Los Angeles, and demonstrate financial need,” said JVS CEO Vivian Seigel. “But providing financial aid is no longer enough, especially in today’s economy.”

A second year graduate student at USC, Rena D. is pursuing a Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy. Rena’s career choice was influenced from a young age, watching her father’s struggle over many years from multiple sclerosis. When she was 14, her father obtained an electric wheelchair, which gave him a renewed sense of independence, and Rena a direction in life, to help empower others like her father. Heavily involved in her community, directing youth and group programs, she also spent six summers as a counselor at Camp Ramah, working for the camp’s special needs programs.

Now starting her second year at Claremont Graduate University Ana G. is pursuing graduate studies in Music and Operatic Voice. Although she has been a professional singer, pianist and songwriter for 21 years, Ana wants to transition out of the unstable and unpredictable world of concert touring/performing and into the more financially stable career of voice teaching, which a master’s degree will enable her to do. Last year, Ana was also unemployed for eight months (to care for her dying for father) and was forced to sell her home and a rental property she owned in a short sale due to the housing market crisis. As with many others in a similar situation, these have resulted in significant tax liability. In addition, Ana was the victim of identity theft last year, which created additional financial stress.

JVS has also established several programs to provide additional support and resources to Jewish students, their families and others within the community. The Jewish Community Career Assistance Program, which provides job help to parents of JVS scholarship applicants and others in the LA Jewish community, is funded by The Jewish Federation Council of Greater Los Angeles. New Linkages, funded by the Melvin N. and Eunice A. Miller Foundation and the Chevra Chai Charitable Foundation, is an internship program that exposes college students to Jewish communal service. SAGE, which provides academic and career guidance to Jewish youth ages 16 to 25, is funded by the Newton D. and Rochelle F. Becker Foundation.

Says Cathy Kersh, JVS’ Scholarship Fund Manager, “Our students are driven to succeed. We’ve had students who have been finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship, have had articles published in several prestigious medical and law journals, and one was recently selected to display her art in New York as part of an exhibition of female figurative artists.”

JVS, a non-profit, non-sectarian organization founded in 1930, has helped hundreds of thousands of people overcome barriers to employment, including people with disabilities, refugees and immigrants, and women in transition. For more information, visit www.jvsla.org.