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Dear Child Advocate,
This past week at our 25th annual CDF Beat the Odds® awards dinner, we celebrated the accomplishments of five inspiring young people who confront extreme adversity daily yet still have the vision to keep on a path towards success. I am so proud of the honorees – Jaegeun David Cho, Ni’Tasha Denson, Stephanie Gamino, David Sanchez, and Vincent Zamarripa – who stood tall in a grand room at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and shared their personal stories. They are stories of abuse, neglect, family separation and poverty. And in a room of Hollywood A-listers, power players, and community leaders, it was these young role models who commanded the attention of the room.
In the two years that CDF-CA has been working with this year’s recipients, they have grown tremendously both personally and collaboratively. In preparation for the gala, students received supportive guidance from CDF-CA staff and selection committee members. On December 3rd, the students confidently mingled with the ceremony’s emcee Conan O’Brien, quipped with actors Jussie Smollett and CDF Board Member and event co-chair Jurnee Smollett-Bell. With your support, the CDF Beat the Odds Scholarship program provides recipients with academic tutoring, college counseling and life skills development. It also offers a safe space for youth to continue to heal, reflect and grow into confident young adults who are excited about their future.
This year was the 25th anniversary of the CDF Beat the Odds Scholarship program and many alumni of the program came out to celebrate with us. It was truly inspiring to see who they are and the success they have reached. CDF Beat the Odds program alumni are doctors, lawyers, executives, activists and leaders across this country. Support from CDF CA does not end at the award ceremony. CDF CA supports them in navigating the complexities of the higher education system; connects them with internship and employment opportunities; provides them with financial support and a variety of other ways that meet their unique needs. CDF-CA does not and cannot do it alone. We ask for your continued support of this program and youth like this year’s recipients.
With that said, I proudly congratulate Jaegeun, David, Ni’Tasha, Stephanie and Vincent, and encourage you to learn more about these inspiring individuals.
Onward,
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Alex M. Johnson
Executive Director
Children's Defense Fund - California
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