480000
Invested over 4 years
7
SCHOOLS
760
Students
In 2018, Specialty Family Foundation launched a four-year $480,000 investment to support the hiring of a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Director for our long-term partner, the Department of Catholic Schools. The STEM Director has been leading the charge to create a STEM Network of Catholic elementary academies in underserved communities across LA County.
STEM careers represent 60% of job growth in the U.S., yet only 3% of the current STEM workforce were raised and educated in our nation’s inner cities. With a vital presence in these communities, Catholic schools provide an ideal opportunity to connect LA’s inner-city students to enriching STEM learning experiences. Comprised of five schools serving low-income families, the STEM Network of academies has succeeded in introducing students to the world of STEM. Now we’re working to expand the STEM Network to more schools who will be educating our next generation of innovators.