Global to Local: Empowering LA with Students

K-12 STEAM education

Expand existing project, program, or initiative (expanding and continuing ongoing, successful work)

LA has the potential to be an echo chamber where society can reinforce their own beliefs and perspectives. This can stifle open-mindedness by limiting exposure to diverse viewpoints. To counteract this, fostering inclusive dialogues and promoting interactions across different communities is essential
Increasing diversity to solve this problem, obstacles form in its wake. Schools must expand their ESL (English Second Language) programs to support students from diverse language backgrounds. These programs are vital for equal educational opportunities for all students.
With the increasing diversity of the area comes the influx of more residents and rising cost. This poses challenges for native residents, making it difficult for them to afford to remain in LA. As everyday expenses continue to soar, many long-time residents are facing financial strain. Economic pressure has forced some to relocate to more affordable areas, disrupting communities and eroding the city's socio-economic fabric.

Our program brings in international students to enrich student bodies and the families they stay with by way of cultural exchange. Hosting these students, local communities foster cultural understanding and global awareness. Exchange of perspectives enhances learning experiences for all involved promoting diversity; it broadens horizons and prepares students to thrive in an interconnected world
Our program actively encourages the expansion of ESL (English Second Language) programs in schools by highlighting the benefits of an international body. These students bring new perspectives and cultural richness, enhancing the educational experience for all. Showcasing the impact on academic performance and cultural competence, our program demonstrates the value of a robust ESL program. This supports the international students in their learning but also benefits the growing diverse population of Los Angeles with increased access to ESL learning
Finding LA natives to house and host international students provides financial stability for local residents, especially those who are impacted by cost of living. By offering accommodation, they gain a source of additional income, easing financial pressures. This arrangement brings increased revenue to schools through hosting fees allowing these institutions to expand educational opportunities. This benefit fosters stronger community ties and enhances the overall educational environment, supporting both the hosts and the broader student body.

With our program's success, the LA area would transform into a globally connected hub of education and cultural exchange. By increasing the number of international students in schools, our program would foster an inclusive learning environment. The influx of students would bring in significant revenue, benefiting local educational institutions and the expansion of programs and resources for all students. Additionally, by connecting international students with local low-income families for housing, we would provide these families with a steady source of income, enhancing financial stability. Over time, this would contribute to reducing economic disparities within the community. The exchange between international students and LA natives would also promote understanding and appreciation of different cultures, enriching the fabric of the city. Our program envisions an LA where education, cultural diversity, and economic opportunity thrive hand in hand, creating a prosperous future for all.

We measure the impact of our program through several key metrics. Firstly, we track the number of our international students enrolled in local schools and colleges, monitoring growth over time. The success is also determined by graduation rates and college acceptance rates. We keep to date with most students post graduation and love to learn when they look at those of us involved as second families and LA as a second home. We evaluate the expansion of ESL programs by documenting the increase in available courses, student enrollment in these programs, and improvements in language proficiency among participants.
The gauge of impact to local families is typically anecdotal, we learn of the impact through fostered personal connections. We encourage our hosting families to be open and honest with us about financial and emotional stress and supporting them individually through those times brings us great pride. Together, these metrics demonstrate how our program contributes to the LA area.