Avalon-Carver Community Center (Avalon-Carver) respectfully requests an opportunity to partner with organizations to bring the joy of the holiday to underserved populations. Specifically, our partnership would aim to improve economic equity for low-income communities by introducing Black and Latinx youth to fun and emergent technologies that will shape the 21st-century workforce, create pathways to college, and cultivate an interest in STEM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers by raising funds in a silent auction and providing free meals. We aim to reduce educational achievement gaps through culturally responsive and culturally relevant content and multicultural staffing with a goal of improving educational outcomes for vulnerable populations.

Avalon Carver Community Center serves the community of SPA 6. SPA 6 (service planning area 6) is the mosteconomically depressed area in Los Angeles County. In our culturally diverse community less than 44% of adultshave a high school diploma, 28% are high school dropouts, and only 34% of children ages 0-5 are read to daily.Education and gainful employment is a key contributor to quality of life and with 31% of the community living inpoverty, 90% of the k-12 population receive free/reduced lunch based on income metrics and a median householdincome of $36,400 (well below the county average of $56,241) we believe our capacity to educate and prepareyoung people for post-secondary education and the workforce will be key factors in reducing disparities. Highunemployment, lower than average incomes, and below average educational performance highlight the need forrobust workforce development services within the SPA that create opportunities for economic equity.

Studies have found that a high-quality STEM education is the foundation for creating pathways toward college andeconomic stability for low-income Black and Latinx youth (Falk, et.al., 2016). Research indicates that early exposurecan help increase a love of STEM and interest in STEM education and careers (Dou, Et. al 2019). The U.S. Bureauof Labor Statistics shows employment in STEM occupations has grown 79% in the past three decade and thatSTEM jobs are projected to grow an additional 11% from 2020 to 2030—pointing toward a critical educational equityissue for low-income Black and Latinx students in South Central Los Angeles. According to the Institute for RacialJustice studies have found that now, more than ever, a high-quality STEM (science, technology, engineering,mathematics) education is the foundation for creating pathways toward college and economic stability for low-income Black and Latinx youth. Yet, students have inadequate experiences with STEM coursework in elementaryschools. LAUSD students are not immune experiencing inadequate STEM learning opportunities and exposure.Blume (2022), highlights in his report from state test scores that due to the pandemic 72% of students are failing tomeet the math standard, a critical component in STEM education.

Avalon-Carver Community Center will host a Holiday Funday with 100 of our network of peers on December 24, 2024, and they will participate in a silent auction. 250 Members of the marginalized community we serve will receive free holiday giveaways, experience the joy of the holidays with free activities, a free meal and free gift cards to purchase holiday essentials for their families. Families will also receive a raffle ticket for additional free giveaways. The funds raised from the Holiday auction will be used to provide underserved youth in the community with a quality hands-on STEM education where students get to experience the joy of interactive and fun learning experiences.