FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2018
CAMINO NUEVO CHARTER ACADEMY AWARDED $750,000 FROM BALLMER GROUP TO PREPARE MORE STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE
The three-year grant will strengthen the charter school network’s organizational capacity to achieve its mission
LOS ANGELES – Camino Nuevo Charter Academy, a nonprofit charter school network known for giving low-income students a college-preparatory education with wraparound supports, today announced it has received $750,000 over three years from Ballmer Group. The philanthropy founded by Steve and Connie Ballmer supports organizations focused on improving economic mobility for children and families in the United States. Steve Ballmer, a first-generation college graduate, is the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers and the former CEO of Microsoft.
“We’re grateful that Ballmer Group has made a significant investment in the future of our students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college,” said Ana Ponce, CEO of Camino Nuevo. “As a first-generation student who grew up in a low-income community, I know firsthand that giving children a holistic education has the potential to be life-changing and trajectory-changing. With this gift, we can better prepare and support students from preschool through college so that they have a real chance of achieving the American Dream.”
Founded in 2000, Camino Nuevo schools fuse strong academics with wraparound supports that address issues of poverty like homelessness, childhood trauma, and poor health. By taking a holistic approach to educating children, Camino Nuevo has increased student achievement and graduation rates for its student body, which is 95 percent Latino and 92 percent low income. The network also dedicates staff and resources to support their college-attending alumni. As a result, Camino Nuevo graduates earn college degrees at more than double the national rate for low-income students. The Ballmers’ gift will help strengthen Camino Nuevo’s organizational capacity to deliver the education and support more students need to get to and through college.
“Camino Nuevo is a homegrown charter school network that has successfully created change for kids in one of the most densely populated, highest-need areas of the city,” said Nina Revoyr, Ballmer Group’s Los Angeles executive director. “We are excited to see them expand to prepare more of our city’s children for college and careers."
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To learn more, contact Eddy Ramirez, director of communications and public affairs, (213)417-3413 or [email protected]