Hello Friends of Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)! My name is Jenifer Guttierez and I am 23 years old. I want to tell you a little bit about myself and tell you how important people like you have been in my life. I always knew I wanted to go to college, but I didn’t know how I was going to get there. I grew up in the neighborhood and when I found out that Heart of Los Angeles provided FREE SAT Prep classes, I jumped at the opportunity. It didn’t take long before HOLA became my second home. HOLA helped me find my way and so much more. I am proud to say that because of HOLA, I am the first person in my family to graduate high school and go to college. I wouldn’t have gotten there if I didn’t have a place like HOLA and the support of people like you. Two years ago, I graduated from UC Santa Barbara, an incredibly proud day for me and my mother. I moved back home and once again, I felt the pull of HOLA. I wanted to do for other kids what HOLA had done for me. The stars were aligned and I began a year of service at HOLA through the AmeriCorps VISTA Program, spending my time coordinating HOLA’s volunteer efforts. What an incredible year that was for me. I learned so much working alongside HOLA’s incredible staff and had the opportunity to get to know so many of HOLA’s dedicated volunteers and donors - people like you. That experience helped me make the decision to pursue a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) and I am now enrolled in Bard College’s MAT Program that is located on HOLA’s campus! Next year, I’ll be a full fledged teacher, hopefully working in a school in an underserved neighborhood. Thank you for your support of HOLA and kids like me. Together we are making lasting change. As 2014 comes to a close, please consider making a donation to Heart of Los Angeles. This year, HOLA is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and in honor of this momentous occasion, I will be making a donation. I hope you will too. To donate by check or credit card, please fill out the enclosed envelope. You may also donate using our secure on-line donation system on our website, www.heartofla.org/donate. With best wishes to you and your family for a joyous holiday season and a happy and healthy 2015! Jenifer HOLA Class of 2009 What your donation can do: • • • • • •
$25 provides a space for one child in a basketball clinic $50 provides five elementary students with an Introduction to Music class $100 provides two weeks of healthy snacks for hungry kids $500 provides the supplies for a 3D Design and Printing class $1,000 provides 10 high school juniors with a tour of California colleges $2,500 provides three students with free programming for the rest of the school year
For more information or to take a tour of HOLA, please contact Elizabeth Curtis at (213) 389-1148, ext. 241 or ecurtis@heartofla.org. Heart of Los Angeles provides underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts and athletics within a nurturing environment, empowering them to develop their potential, pursue their education and strengthen their communities.