Students Pursuing Health Careers Receive Scholarships

This is a regular feature on philanthropic activities by Valley-area businesspeople and companies. Antelope Valley Hospital and its Volunteer Auxiliary are awarding $16,000 in healthcare career scholarships to high school students in the area, the hospital announced. The 16 students were each awarded $1,000. They were selected from dozens of applicants and chosen based on panel interviews and scholastic achievement. “These students are the future of healthcare in the Antelope Valley,” said Edward Mirzabegian, the hospital’s CEO. “We are proud to assist them as they pursue medical careers.” Applicants were required to have grade point averages of at least 3.5 and plans to pursue careers in health-related fields. The hospital contributed $5,000 to the scholarships, and the hospital’s Volunteer Auxiliary contributed $11,000. Awards were given to the following students: Brittany Collins and Kristina Hulse from Desert Christian High School; Tracey De Los Santos, Joshua Saul and Katrina Scalzi from Highland High School; Jonathan Dibbini, Joshua Kling and Maltish Lorenzo from Quartz Hill High School; Hannah Harmon and Pantip Intachai from Lancaster High School; Jennifer Mendez from Rosamond High School; Kathleen Williams from Mojave High School; and Shivam Zaver from Paraclete High School. Kaiser Permanente Grants Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley awarded $89,000 to eight nonprofit organizations in the area that have made contributions to community health, particularly for underserved populations, the healthcare provider announced. “Kaiser Permanent is proud to support these organizations that exist to meet the needs of the community,” said Kaiser Permanente Antelope Valley Medical Director Dr. Wadie Tadros. The organizations that received the grants on July 12 include Antelope Valley College Foundation, Antelope Valley Family YMCA, Antelope Valley Partners for Health, The Catalyst Foundation, The Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley, Mental Health America of Los Angeles, Tarzana Treatment Center, Inc. and Valley Oasis of the Antelope Valley Domestic Violence Council. The individual awards range from $5,000 to $18,000. The awards are being used to hire and sustain medical staff, and to support new and existing health education and healthcare programs. Disney and Dole Donations The Walt Disney Company and Dole Food Company donated time and snacks for “A Global Playground” in Pacoima, a children’s event led by nonprofit organization Play Just Like You, the group announced. The event, which occurred on July 16 at the Boys and Girls Club on San Fernando Valley, focused on teaching children about other cultures through traditional sports and games from around the world. Employees from the Walt Disney Company, located in Burbank, donated their time as “VoluntEARS” to participate in the games. Westlake Village-based Dole Food Company provided fruit and juice snacks for the event for more than 300 children. Play Just Like You is an organization that teams with corporate sponsors to raise cultural awareness to children in underserved communities throughout the Los Angeles area. Camp Days The Little Gym of Thousand Oaks is providing a “Recession Buster” program that provides free children’s summer camp days for unemployed parents, the Thousand Oaks-based children’s activity center announced. Parents who have recently lost their jobs can enroll their children in up to five summer camps days anytime for free until Aug. 19. The program started on June 14. “Our focus is to find ways to help the local community during their time of need,” said Melodie Berkhout, owner of the Thousand Oaks franchise business. “Our team here at The Little Gym of Thousands Oaks is so grateful to be taking part in the Recession Buster, and we hope we are able to make a difference in the lives of those who are involved.” The Little Gym of Thousand Oaks offers curriculum-based gymnastics, movement and other physical activity programs. The center also focuses on helping children develop social and cognitive skills.