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Congresswoman Maxine Waters’ Congratulates Co-Op LA for Receiving $2.6 Million Grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue its TRiO Upward Bound Program

May 23, 2012

Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) released the following statement commending Co-Op LA's TRiO Upward Bound program for receiving a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Co-Op LA will use these funds to continue its work helping low-income and first-generation-to-collegestudents graduate from high school and get into college. CO-OP is a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive case-managed services to eligible residents in the Greater Los Angeles area. The Congresswoman's statement is below:

"I am extremely pleased that Co-Op LA's Upward Bound program has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to further assist low-income and first-generation-to-college youth graduate high school and get into college.The $2.6 million will go towards expanding Co-Op LA's Upward Bound program to servea total of 112 students a year at five local high schools. Throughout my career I have worked tirelessly to ensure that Upward Bound and other TRiO programs remain funded to make certain that low-income and first-generation youth succeed in college. Education is the best investment we can make in our nation's future, I applaud Co-Op LA's unyielding commitment to ensuring our youth are adequately prepared to succeed in college."

As a part of the historic Higher Education Act of 1965, Upward Bound has provided fundamental support to low-income and first generation college students prepare for college entrance since 1965. Upward Bound provides opportunities for participants to succeed in their precollege performance through summer college-prep and enrichment courses, financial aid and admission seminars, academic tutoring and mentoring support. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the rate at which participants complete secondary education and enroll in and graduate from institutions of postsecondary education.

"Since 2003, Co-Op LA's Upward Bound program has played a critical role in increasing high school graduation and college enrollment rates inthe West Los Angeles and Centinela Valley communities.Co-Op LA's outstanding 100 percent graduation, 98 percent college retention, and 95 percent college completion rates has earned them national and international acclaim for their successful implementation of college-readiness strategies and parent involvement activities. With no less than 40 percent of alumni matriculating into graduate school, Co-Op LA's Upward Bound program instills a true sense of resiliency and pride into their students that continues to serve them into adulthood. I'm ecstatic about the work being done with our youth at Co-Op LA. Their commitment to positive change in our community is a shining example of what it truly means to serve."

Co-Op LA's $2.6 million grant will go toward further expansion and facilitation their Upward Bound program for an additional five years. With this expansion, Co-Op LA's Upward Bound program will now serve students from Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet, Los Angeles Senior High School, Morningside High School, Inglewood High School, and Gardena High School.

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