In partnership with OneFuture Coachella Valley, 63 local area students receive scholarships
Dr. Carreón Foundation (DCF) has awarded 63 area high school students $123,000 total in scholarships for 2020. For nearly 30 years the foundation has supported our Valley’s youth with annual scholarships in support of higher education and vocational training. Each year there has been an increase in the number of recipients awarded, with 63 students this year, compared to 48 last year. Working in collaboration with OneFuture Coachella Valley (OFCV) to raise money in supporting these scholarships, every dollar donated to the foundation is matched by OFCV to become three.
Students with Mexican ancestry from all high schools in the Coachella Valley and Palo Verde High School in Blythe were invited to submit a scholarship application. Scholarships are awarded to students who have at least a 3.0 GPA, are involved in bettering their community, are of Mexican ancestry, and who demonstrate leadership skills and financial need. This year individual scholarships ranged from $1,000 to $3,750.
The scholarships have been awarded during an unprecedented time during the coronavirus pandemic. With the Annual Awards Banquet being cancelled in the wake of the pandemic, personalized yard signs for each recipient were created and Dr. Carreón Foundation’s Executive Director, Board President and several board members delivered them to the awardees’ homes. Many students will be participating in virtual education during the fall semester with many schools closed for in-person classes.
Major supporters of Dr. Carreón Foundation’s scholarship program include OneFuture Coachella Valley, Desert Healthcare District, five area Rotary clubs, Heritage Palms HOA, and Rancho Market #5. In addition, throughout the year other area restaurants that assist in fundraising for the foundation include Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Daily Grill La Quinta, Lulu’s, Kaiser Grill, Cheesecake Factory, Fleming’s, Roy’s, Norma’s Italian Kitchen, Slice, 849, Mexicali 2, and Los Pepes.
Having awarded more than $1.7 million in scholarships since 1991, to over 700 students, recipients have attended schools locally and across the country including College of the Desert, Cal State San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus, the University of Southern California, UCLA, MIT and Harvard University, to name a few. Testimonials from alumni about how the program has enabled them to pursue higher education with a DCF scholarship can be viewed online at www.carreonfoundation.org.
OFCV is a significant partner supporting the Dr. Carreón Foundation scholarship program. OFCV supports the development of career-themed academies and linked learning pathways at the K-12 level, work-based learning for middle school through college undergrads, and scholarships and financial aid assistance to prepare all students for college, career and life.
In addition, ECV for Change, a sponsored organization under the Dr. Carreón Foundation, officially launched earlier this year. The goal of ECV for CHANGE is to empower the future of the Eastern Coachella Valley one student at a time. As a one-year mentorship program for current CVUSD high school sophomores and juniors it focuses on the following pillars: higher education, leadership development, and civic engagement. The mentorship will pair a current CVUSD student with a current college student or college graduate who was a former CVUSD student, or is a part of the Coachella Valley. ECV for CHANGE will also provide additional services to the CVUSD such as: professional development and college application workshops.
Dr. Carreón Foundation is located at 41550 Eclectic Street in Palm Desert, and can be reached at (858) 344-4812. Visit www.carreonfoundation.org for additional information.
About Dr. Carreón Foundation
The late Dr. Reynaldo J. Carreón established the Reynaldo J. Carreón M. D. Foundation prior to his death in 1991, to enable Americans of Latino ancestry to become the best they can through education. The Dr. Carreón Foundation Board of Directors has dedicated its efforts and resources to carry out Dr. Carreon’s vision. Dr. Carreón’s wish to help his people “be the greatest Americans possible” is being accomplished.
The mission of the Foundation is to support initiatives that will lead to increased and enhanced educational opportunities for the youth of Latino heritage in the Coachella Valley and Blythe as they prepare to become leaders of our future. Carreón scholars have attended some 50 colleges and universities throughout the United States.
