The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation donated $1 million to establish after-school homework centers in 38 Los Angeles Public Library branches to provide a safe haven for homeless and low-income students, it was announced Tuesday.
The grant will fund continuing purchases of state-of-the-art technology, giving students access to dedicated equipment and support from staff during after-school hours to help them complete their homework and even assistance completing college and scholarship essays.
The endowment was established in honor of Broad Foundation co-founder Edythe Broad, whose love of books and reading has made her one of the Library Foundation’s most ardent supporters.
“When I was a child growing up in Detroit, my sister and I always went to the library, and I have such fond memories of how I could be transported through books,” she said. “For so many students who don’t have a place to study after school, libraries can provide a place to go. And today, libraries have so much more than books. Everything a student needs to do their homework is available at the library.”
In honor of Edythe Broad’s birthday this year, Broad staff donated more than 100 books to the Central Library in downtown Los Angeles.
Last year, the Broad Foundation gave $250,000 to the Library Foundation to increase the number of “student zones” across the city, which enabled the libraries to serve more students, especially those in homeless shelters, foster care and low-income communities.
More than 100,000 children and teens use the Los Angeles Public Library, making it the largest single provider of free after-school activities in the city.
“We know that the hours immediately after school are crucial to the success of many young people,” said Ken Brecher, president of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. “The generosity of The Broad Foundation helps to make our Student Zones true safe havens and productive centers for students to do their homework now and in the future.”
–City News Service