Tavis Smiley Foundation & Hyundai Award Grant to Parent Program

Los Angeles agency provides training and support to parents and students

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two hundred parents and students will be able to participate in a college readiness program courtesy of a community grant announced by the Tavis Smiley Foundation and Hyundai Motor America at the foundation's first Too Important to Fail Parent Education Summit.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111104/DC00197)

The Parent Community Services Branch (PCSB), a program of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) that provides training programs and resources to help parents learn how to support their children's educational development, was awarded a $5,000 grant at the Tavis Smiley Foundation's "Too Important to Fail" parent education summit held on Oct. 29 at Crenshaw High School in south Los Angeles and attended by more than 200 local area parents.

The LAUSD adopted a new policy on parent engagement in December of 2010 that focuses on engaging parents at the local school level to ensure they gain the capacity to support learning at home and at school, according to district officials. PCSB's objective is to implement parent engagement programs and services to empower parents to make education a priority for their entire family, with the goal of ensuring their children complete high school ready for college, and careers.

The grant will support the PCSB's college readiness program in April that provides training for parents on how to get their children prepared for college and a tour of a local university for the students.

Maria Casillas, chief of school/family, parent and community services for LAUSD, indicated that "the funds will allow families from the Crenshaw High School cluster of schools to visit a local university and leave a footprint for their children's future.  For most of these families, it will be the very first time to be on a college campus.

The grant is the first to be awarded as part of the Parent Education Summit initiative, which is a national tour aimed at giving parents tools and information on how they can ensure their child's learning success.  Los Angeles was the first stop on the tour which will visit six other cities beginning in January 2012.  In each of the tour cities, an organization whose work mirrors the objectives of the tour will have an opportunity to receive a similar grant.

"Preparing young people for the future by addressing the importance of education is among our highest priorities.  We are particularly committed to supporting those initiatives that address the alarming crisis of high school dropout rates presently in our society," says Zafar Brooks, Director Corporate Social Responsibility and Diversity Inclusion, Hyundai Motor America.  "Our goal is to reach a day, when every kid graduates high school.  We are thrilled to join Tavis Smiley and his Too Important to Fail Parent Education Summit, as an important initiative and to create a dialogue and resource for parents on this issue."

The Parent Education Summits are one part of a holistic effort to raise awareness and spark action by parents to become more involved in the education crisis. Through the interactive web portal, www.tooimportanttofail.com, summit attendees and the general public can learn more about the issues and engage in dialogue with organizations and constituents. All seminar sessions are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration information for the future summits will be posted at www.tooimportanttofail.com and www.youthtoleaders.org.

ABOUT THE TAVIS SMILEY FOUNDATION
The Tavis Smiley Foundation was founded in 1999 to enlighten, encourage, and empower youth by providing leadership training that will promote and enhance the quality of life for themselves, their community and our world. Since its inception, more than 6,500 youth have participated in the Foundation's leadership workshops and conferences and it has awarded more than $500,000 in college scholarships. For more information, visit www.youthtoleaders.org.

ABOUT HYUNDAI
A global company with U.S. headquarters in Costa Mesa, CA, Hyundai is committed to supporting projects, initiatives and activities that champion diversity, make a difference in communities across the country and contribute to the American cultural landscape. This commitment is woven into the fabric and foundation of the organization. The company's $1.6 billion plant in Montgomery, Alabama (Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC) employs more than 2,500 people and is one of the most advanced assembly plants in North America. Additionally, more than 78 suppliers have located businesses throughout North America to support Hyundai's plant. Altogether, these suppliers have created more than 6,000 additional jobs with a combined capital investment of $500 million.  After more than 24 years in the U.S. automobile market and with "America's Best Warranty," Hyundai continues to reinforce its commitment to sell innovative, high-quality vehicles at affordable prices. For more information on Hyundai and its diversity initiatives, please visit: http://www.hyundaiusa.com/about-hyundai/diversity/

SOURCE Tavis Smiley Foundation