The Solution

The Serpentine Project

In these economically challenged times, The Serpentine Project has been able to alleviate some of the financial stresses that our youth face. Each youth is invited to apply for the Life Grant Funding to help overcome obstacles standing in the way of their goals. Youth are accepted into our program based on merit but our Life Grants are awarded based on need. This helps ensure that our dollars go exactly where they be most effective.

Our Life Grants have enabled youth to stay in school full-time over the summer when financial aid isn’t available. Life Grants have also made it possible to receive much needed English tutoring to better prepare them for success in college. And perhaps most importantly, our Life Grants have provided our youth stability in unstable times.

We know it’s been a rough year for everyone but through the generosity of our donors, we have been able to increase our program support in ways most meaningful to our Serpentine Youth.

Welcome Dominique!

We are so happy to welcome Donimique into the Serpentine Family! Dominique is currently a freshman at top California State University.  Her acceptance into a four-year college directly out of high school is a testament to her talent and hard work. We are excited to watch Dominique navigate the rewarding path of school and eager to support her journey.

Liz was originally an unlikely candidate for The Serpentine Project. Not because she was unqualified but because she already have a full life of achievement and responsibility. Initially we questioned how we could help.

Removed from her mother’s care in her early teens, Liz spent the rest of her childhood in foster care. When she aged-out of the system she worked hard to create a comfortable and stable life for herself and her siblings.

Liz got a good job working for a local LA nonprofit and assumed legal guardianship for her 14 year-old brother. “But even if it seemed like everything was OK, it wasn’t. I had a lot to do and couldn’t do it alone,” says Liz.

Liz knew that in order to grow professionally she needed to improve her English. And she also knew that in order to grow personally she needed to return to school and earn her BA - a lifetime dream.

This is where we jumped in.  Once accepted into our program, Liz hit the ground running.  She enrolled in a 4 week sewing class, returned to school part-time and began one on one tutoring in English. “Now I’m more productive. I’m doing more. Before I was just talk, and now I can see my life happening,” she says.

Her excitement for the future and her confidence in herself has grown tremendously. It has been a joy to watch her blossom into the person she wants to become.

Next Spring Liz will return to school full-time. This would not be possible without The Serpentine Project’s support. “Before I never got past mid-terms! Now I have someone pushing me, calling me, making sure I don’t fail,” says Liz. We are happy to assist as she takes the necessary steps to make her dreams a reality.