Chevron's El Segundo Refinery provided $1 million 'Energy for Learning' grants to be distributed among 15 schools in the South Bay area of Los Angeles county, while five non-profits in Richmond and West Contra Costa county received a $1 million investment from Chevron’s Richmond refinery to support job training and placement. The El Segundo grants are the largest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related donation ever made by the refinery, and are a reflection of its investment in the region and its nearly 100-year history as a member of the community.
Among the investment recipients is El Segundo High School, which will put the funds toward a new engineering lab to support a four-year STEM program. Project Lead the Way, a nonprofit partner that is also supported by the California Partnership, will provide students with rigorous, hands-on technical education while they earn college-level credit for the work they complete in high school. Manhattan Beach Middle School will use the funds to establish the Chevron Futures Institute for the Advancement of Young Women in Science, Mathematics, and Technology, which will have a strong emphasis on creative problem solving and teamwork, and a cross-disciplinary curriculum.
Other recipients of the Energy for Learning investments included Richmond Street School, Center Street School, Da Vinci Science Academy, Dana Middle School, Environmental Charter High School, Hawthorne High School, Hawthorne Math & Science Academy, Hermosa View Elementary School, Lawndale High School, Lawndale Elementary School, Leuzinger High School, Redondo Union High School and Lennox Mathematics, Science & Technology Academy.
As part of the announcement activities, and in recognition of Mathematics Awareness Month, some of the area’s top-performing students demonstrated their most recent STEM projects for local educators, civic leaders and business partners. Congresswoman Jane Harman (D-CA) and other elected officials were also present at the announcement to underscore the importance of the investment.
“A grant like this to local schools keeps the food chain going and produces kids who will fill the high-skill, high-wage jobs of tomorrow.”
— Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA)
In Northern California, five Richmond and West Contra Costa County nonprofits were selected to receive a separate million-dollar investment from Chevron’s Richmond refinery to support job training placements.
"We are confident this grant will help us provide our clients with the services needed to get them on a more secure career path," said Miriam Wong, executive director of The Latina Center, one of the recipient organizations.
The five nonprofits were chosen for their high-quality vocational education and their support for small and medium-sized businesses:
- Catholic Charities – A collaborative job training program that partners with Richmond WORKS and West Contra Costa Adult Education;
- Lao Family Community Development, Inc. – A comprehensive pre- and post-placement service to assist with job preparation and retention;
- Solar Richmond – An internship program offering experience in solar installation to promote innovative job creation;
- The Latina Center – Providing Latina women with personalized training, peer networking and family support services needed to start their own small business; and,
- The Stride Center – Career preparation services in the information technology field for Richmond residents.