Los Angeles, CA, July 28, 2015 – The Jefferson Awards Foundation, America’s most prestigious and long-standing organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service, announced today a new partnership with the Compton Unified School District. The Jefferson Awards Foundation will work closely with the 35 schools and 23,000+ students in the Compton School District to encourage public service and social entrepreneurship through the Foundation’s three student-focused programs: Students In Action, GlobeChangers and LEAD360.
“We are hopeful about the positive impact that we can achieve,” said Joseph Sanberg, Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Jefferson Awards Foundation. “This partnership with Compton Unified School District will inspire young people with the vision of a better, more opportunity-filled future for their communities and empower them with the tools to make that vision come true.”
The partnership between the Jefferson Awards Foundation and the Compton Unified School District will be the first of its kind in California, and follows a successful school year in the Compton district that saw many accomplishments including the only school district in the nation to boast two “National Blue Ribbon Schools,” as well as the introduction of a middle college program that will save students and families two years of college tuition.
“The transformation in Compton’s schools is underway. Our focus on student success has dramatically improved student performance in the classroom,” said Micah Ali, Compton School Board President. “Encouraging public service is important to achieve our goal of making sure our students are college and career ready, and prepared to be productive members of the community. This partnership with the Jefferson Awards Foundation will accelerate that process.”
Launched in 2006, Students In Action is a national youth leadership program that is currently active in nearly 400 middle and high schools across the U.S. The program trains students to develop their leadership skills, engage their school communities in service, and generate real-world, measurable impact in their communities.
GlobeChangers is a social entrepreneurship training program of the Jefferson Awards Foundation consisting of a streamlined curriculum, interactive website and personal mentoring component. It specializes in teaching young leaders how to scale horizontally and increase the impact of their service projects.
LEAD360 recognizes outstanding youth service projects that help make the world a better place. The Jefferson Awards Foundation works with these students to activate their ideas and/or service projects on a national level, and allows participants to share their stories of service, get templates for various types of projects and learn from other students working on similar issues.
“Through our three youth-focused programs, the Jefferson Awards Foundation has been able to transform the lives of low-income and at-risk students all over the country,” said Hillary Schafer, Executive Director of the Jefferson Awards Foundation. “We are thrilled to partner with the Comptonschools to bring Students In Action, LEAD360 and GlobeChangers to its students, allowing the young people to gain leadership skills and instill in them a passion for public service.”
About the Jefferson Awards Foundation
The Jefferson Awards Foundation is the country’s longest standing and most prestigious organization dedicated to activating and celebrating public service. Through our programs JAF trains and empowers individuals to serve and lead in their communities, amplifying their impact through our vast network of media partners, mentors and volunteers. To learn more about the Jefferson Awards Foundation, visit: JeffersonAwards.org or engage with our community on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
