mission
To increase educational attainment for young adults from alternative high schools by providing access to supportive resources that allow students to thrive in and out of college.
vision
Students become agents of intergenerational transformation when they are equipped with necessary resources to place education, personal development, and community empowerment at the center of daily life.
who we serve
We serve low-income youth who are entering community colleges. Our scholars are 16 to 24 year old students who have been pushed-out of traditional school systems.
executive director
Maria Recarte is a first-generation Mexican- Honduran who grew up in South Central Los Angeles, Tongva Land. Her calling of community and educational advocacy stems from witnessing the school-to-prison link firsthand in her community and her immediate family. For over 10 years, Maria has worked in several educational leadership positions across Los Angeles County to help transform educational institutions into spaces of intention and inclusion. She believes that purposeful and attainable education can bring about individual, familial, and community change. Maria received her Social Welfare and Communications Bachelor’s Degrees from UC Berkeley.
HISTORY
Co-Founders, Irene Hsieh and Aaron Scholl, launched the Education is Forever scholarship program in 2015. In lieu of a diamond engagement ring and in affirmation of their hope in education’s impact on individuals and communities, they funded the first round of scholarships for the alumni of the high school where they met as teachers.
Since then, Education is Forever has awarded over $70,000 worth of scholarships to students and mentored 33 students. Our students have gone on to earn industry certifications as well as A.A. and bachelor’s degrees.
Since then, Education is Forever has awarded over $70,000 worth of scholarships to students and mentored 33 students. Our students have gone on to earn industry certifications as well as A.A. and bachelor’s degrees.