October Activities The Need for BLCI Highlights Upcoming Fundraising Event Monthly Giving

October Activities

STEM Education with Scripps Research This month, BLCI eighth graders participated in a virtual hands-on science activity and a culturally diverse STEM panel hosted by Scripps Research Institute. Students received materials beforehand in order to take part in a bath bomb making experiment. During the experiment the students were able to learn about the different chemicals that make a bath bomb, how they work and how to make one with the optimal fizz! The panel consisted of top professionals in the STEM field. They discussed their personal trajectory, university experience, professional interests and had a Q and A with both students and parents. Distinguished Research Professor at University of Puerto Rico and former Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institiute fellow, Dr. Elizabeth Padilla Crespo (pictured above) shared her journey through National Laboratories, US government/ science policy, and academia; the impact of her work as an independent microbiology researcher; and her commitment to fostering the next generation of Latinx scientists. Co-founder of artificial intelligence company Primer, Dr. Emannuel Yera, discussed his PhD work designing algorithms to predict the behavior of medicinal small molecules, his work at Primer building new technologies, and the impact of mentors on his journey. 

Outdoor Adventures On October 17th, BLCI families attended their first session of ‘Vamos a Pescar’ organized by our partners at Outdoor Outreach. Families enjoyed the fresh air while Outdoor Outreach instructors taught them how to prepare a fishing road and shared the different marine animals that can be found in the South Bay marina. We spotted a Great Blue Heron and are looking forward to the next outing in November!

The Need for BLCI A recent study by Georgetown University found that a bachelor’s degree is worth $2.8 million on average over a lifetime. Bachelor’s degree holders earn 84 percent more than those with just a high school diploma, which is why BLCI's mission is so imperative to breaking the cycle of poverty. Read More Here

BLCI Highlights

Dayanna Nicole Parra Pulgarin BLCI Class of 2021 Dayanna joined BLCI when she was in 6th grade. Today, she is submitting college applications and looking forward to new beginnings! Dayanna is especially interested in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Law. Outside of school, she swims, writes, listens to music, and makes friendship bracelets. Dayanna reminds herself each day that she is the one who decides her future. "BLCI became my second family, the friendships and bonds I made while being here will be with me for the rest of my life. BLCI itself is one of the reasons why I am so motivated to go to college, and why I dream so big. The people I met my first year are now my best friends, in fact I consider them my sisters and brothers. The bonds I made here were amazing, I mean even when we aren't at BLCI we go out and make even more memories. Overall, each person I have met while being here has taught me something, and I can't wait to see how far each of us go".  

Karla Zuniga College and Career Success Specialist Karla joined BLCI in 7th grade. 13 years later, Karla holds a M.S in School Counseling and Pupil Personnel Services from Cal State Long Beach and works with BLCI high school seniors and alumni to ensure their success. As an alumni of the program, Karla is mindful of the challenges that our students face in getting to college, and works hard to give her students the same support that she and her mom received that made it possible to go to college. "To staff, students and parents, BLCI is a second family. I am motivated each day by the smiles on my students ' faces, hearing how school is going, what activities the parents are involved in, and getting feedback on our work. BLCI staff helped me achieve my goals when I was young, and I am honored to be able to work with our students to give them the same support".

Mark Your Calendar!

Become a Monthly Donor Commit to a monthly donation today, and make a lasting difference in our community. Every dollar we receive gives underserved students the opportunity to attend career fairs, visit college campuses around the Country, and participate in workshops catered towards their academic and career goals.

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Thank You to our Donors! The Rice Family Foundation Judy & Dave Halter Charlie Jones Fund We want to give a big thank you to our community supporters, who make our mission possible. With your help, BLCI youth are motivated to dream big and achieve the unexpected.

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