CEDAR Foundation Canada CEDAR Charitable Foundation, Inc. USA

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1 CEDAR Foundation Canada CEDAR Charitable Foundation, Inc. USA Addressing the needs of committed students and assisting them towards creating a better future. 12

2 GUIDING PRINCIPLES CEDAR Foundation is a Charitable Organization based in Canada. CEDAR Foundation is privately funded and does not seek, solicit or accept monies from outside individuals, groups or governments. CEDAR Foundation is not associated or affiliated with any social, religious or political organization. Some projects are independently designed, operated and Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. Nelson Mandela managed by CEDAR Foundation alone. CEDAR Foundation does not donate to others, but instead serves as a partner to a selected few working to increase their services and capabilities. CEDAR Foundation has always had clarity of purpose to be an innovative Social Change Agency utilizing long-term quality education to prepare selected youth for a significant expansion of their cultural, social and economic status. 1

3 CEDAR FOUNDATION S PURPOSE In 1988, Bob and Lynda Bentall created CEDAR Foundation when they decided that there would be no better way to share their wealth than to support the dreams and goals of deserving young people by making it possible for them to pursue quality education. And they knew this would be the best way to contribute to the betterment of the world since it has been proven that education is the most powerful weapon in the fight against poverty, disease, despair and hopelessness. Over time, this concept became an international journey from Canada, to Mexico, to Kenya, to South Africa, and finally to the USA. With CEDAR Foundation s support and educational opportunities, thousands of young people have experienced positive changes in their socio-economic status, as well as in their accessibility to Human Rights protection and community recognition. These numbers will continue to expand as the work and dedication of CEDAR Foundation continue through The founders and staff of CEDAR Foundation are deeply grateful for the privilege of being able to share the energy, growth, intelligence and joy of our students around the globe. 2

4 CEDAR FOUNDATION IN CANADA Beginning in early 1990 and continuing for 14 years, CEDAR Foundation designed and operated the AILANTHUS ACHIEVEMENT CENTRE in the Vancouver, BC area, providing a pre-university, preparatory educational opportunity for many hundreds of marginalized youth. Using stunning and sophisticated Performing Arts as an incentive to academic discipline, AILANTHUS created a unique and challenging educational environment that gained international attention as it evolved from a local enrichment programme into a renowned, world-class, social intervention strategy. This experience and accomplishment laid the groundwork for the next 25 years of educational development and support in other parts of the world. IN MEXICO In 2004, CEDAR Foundation knew it was time to bring its Gift of education to a more needy country. In Mexico, it was logical to replicate the Canadian model using performing arts as the draw for academic interest and commitment. Hence, the PROMESA ACHIEVEMENT CENTRE was created, which provided young people from the streets, orphanages and very poor families the opportunity for highquality private school academics plus progression to and through University. In 2018, the final CEDAR scholar in Mexico will graduate University. 3

5 CEDAR FOUNDATION IN KENYA In 2004, CEDAR Foundation chose also to settle in Kenya and to offer the Gift of education to impoverished youth in parts of Africa where opportunities for the poor were non-existent. There, CEDAR provided full college/university funding and support to 300 girls from a village community. In 2014, over 95% of them had successfully graduated, and today are gainfully employed in various fields including medicine, education and business, altering not only their economic status but their social positioning and accessibility to human rights protection. Also, in partnership with SCANN, an orphanage for street boys in Nakuru, Kenya, CEDAR Foundation has been able to provide educational support for the children of SCANN left orphaned and homeless by poverty, AIDS and neglect. As these boys progress to post-secondary levels, they are fully aware that they are changing the history of their families for generations to come. IN SOUTH AFRICA With the entire nation struggling to remedy the 50-year social disaster that was Apartheid, CEDAR Foundation felt a calling to assist the young of that country by offering educational opportunities through partnership with other fine programmes. They included KiDS Foundation, Student Sponsorship Programme [SSP], African Leadership Academy, Nkosis Haven, and Education Africa (through which CEDAR constructed MASIBAMBANE College, a fully equipped secondary school in an impoverished township). Working against challenging odds, these organizations and the leaders who guide them represent some of the most committed and hard-working in the world. CEDAR Foundation is honoured to have shared the journey with them and the beautiful children they serve. 4

6 CEDAR FOUNDATION IN AMERICA In 2009, it was decided that since projects in Mexico and Africa had end dates, all of the balance of CEDAR s efforts would be directed to the USA. That would involve a major, long-term expansion into the USA and necessitated in-depth investigation to find partners and associates that shared CEDAR s value system and commitment. The Los Angeles/Southern California region was chosen as CEDAR s American headquarters. Partnerships now include: KIPP SCHOOLS, VERBUM DEI HIGH SCHOOL, TALLER SAN JOSE, and SOUTH CENTRAL SCHOLARS (SCS). In addition to supporting some SCS students, CEDAR now partners with SCS in its SUMMER ACADEMY at the University of Southern California (USC), which serves as a model of educationsupplementation and equalization, and which is now positioned for expansion to other major cities and Universities throughout the country. 5

7 CEDAR FOUNDATION 6

8 CEDAR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. Since CEDAR Foundation was ready to plant its own American roots, it established its own self-managed programme, the CEDAR SoCal Scholarship Programme. It was designed to provide promising but often overlooked high school graduates from the region with support necessary to attend college. Providing multi-year bursaries or scholarships to youth meeting academic and need-based criteria, CEDAR is filling a gap in educational opportunities. Along with financial support, CEDAR staff serve as advisors, encouragers and problem-solvers to the approximately 100 young men and women each year who are in colleges across the nation. WHAT IS THE CEDAR SoCal SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME? The CEDAR SoCal Scholarship programme is a 4-year, undergraduate last dollar scholarship and mentoring programme. As a last dollar scholarship, students receive financial assistance from CEDAR to help bridge the funding gap between the actual cost of attending college and the amount of scholarships and financial aid that students receive. CEDAR SoCal Scholars receive a laptop computer, tuition assistance, all textbooks/school supplies, housing and transportation as determined on a case by case basis. The average award is valued at $5,000 per year per student. In addition, CEDAR SoCal Scholars remain in communication monthly with programme directors who assist with the ongoing challenges students face during their post-secondary journey, plus they attend CEDAR events each year. 7

9 WHO ARE THE CEDAR SoCal SCHOLARS? CEDAR SoCal Scholars are chosen to be part of the programme because they have a singular focus and goal - to obtain a University degree. They will work hard to achieve their goal, and will persevere when faced with challenges. They are sometimes the first in their families to attend University. They have achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher in high school and are legal U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents. HOW TO APPLY FOR A CEDAR SoCal SCHOLARSHIP Only students who are referred from our selected schools and partner programs are eligible to apply. No student shall be denied a referral for a CEDAR SoCal Scholarship based upon the student s race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. 8

10 WHERE ARE CEDAR SoCal SCHOLARS? 9

11 CEDAR Scholars attend many different Universities both in California and out of state, both private and public institutions. Below is listed some, but not all of the Universities our Scholars attend: Agnes Scott College NYU Amherst College San Jose State University Boston University Santa Clara University Bradley Univeristy Sarah Lawrence College Bucknell Universit St. John s University Minnesota Cal Poly Pomona Cal Poly SLO Connecticut College Cornell University CSU Fullerton CSU Long Beach CSU Monterey Bay CSU Northridge Dartmouth College Franklin & Marshall Georgetown University Haverford College Holy Cross College Ithaca College Kalamazoo College Loyola Marymount Marist College Middlebury College Mills College Stanford Swarthmore College Tufts University University of San Francisco University of San Diego UC Berkeley UC Davis UC Irvine UC Merced UC San Diego UC Santa Barbara UC Santa Cruz UCLA USC Wake Forest Wesleyan University Wheaton College 10 Whittier College Mount Holyhoke College 10

12 INFORMATION: CEDAR Foundation INTERNATIONAL CEDAR CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, INC. Langley, BC CANADA V2Y 0G9 427 E. 17th Street, Suite F, Box st Street, Suite #200 Telephone: Fax: c (3) Charitable Corporation Costa Mesa, CA info@cedarfoundation.com