Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) and The East Los Angeles Community Union (TELACU) Education Foundation announced that $50,000 in scholarships have been awarded to 14 first-generation Latino students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Since 1999, and over the last three decades, SoCalGas and TELACU have partnered to address social inequality, and assist deserving students to navigate postsecondary education and their subsequent careers through the TELACU Education Foundation's programmatic support.

"One of our very first corporate partners, SoCalGas has generously invested in the empowerment of our communities' greatest, but most vulnerable, resource—our youth," said Dr. David C. Lizárraga, chairman and founder of the TELACU Education Foundation.

"The TELACU Education Foundation is tremendously grateful to SoCalGas for investing in the communities it serves with excellence, and for its commitment to developing a workforce reflective of these communities."

TELACU and SoCalGas Serve the Community

The TELACU Education Foundation serves first-generation students who live in some of the most underserved communities in the greater Los Angeles region and surrounding counties. TELACU has helped these students pursue higher education with over 99% of its college students graduating, often becoming the first in their family to earn a degree.

"SoCalGas' partnership with TELACU highlights our commitment to create more equitable communities," said Andy Carrasco, SoCalGas vice president of communications, local government and community affairs.

"Access to higher education is a life changing opportunity for students, their families and often, their community, while also helping grow the pipeline for more qualified STEM professionals, which are so desperately needed in our region." 

"TELACU's College Readiness Program and College Success Program have given me the opportunity to pursue higher education. I am grateful for the resources made available to me through the partnership between SoCalGas and TELACU, as they have prepared me for the next steps in my career," said Geovanny Huerta, who was recently selected as a SoCalGas-TELACU Scholar.

"Without these programs and support, I would not have been able to land a summer internship."

Since 1999, SoCalGas has supported TELACU with over $660,000.

SoCalGas' partnership with TELACU is part of the company's ASPIRE 2045 sustainability goals, which include a goal to invest up to $50 million to drive positive change in diverse and underserved communities over the next five years. In addition to supporting TELACU scholars, in 2021, SoCalGas contributed $9.6 million in total community investment, with $4.8 million to support health and human services, and $2.3 million to support educational causes.

Work Truck also reported on SoCalGas assisting cities wanting to address climate vulnerability and adaptation. It’s grant program will provide $50,000 each to three municipalities within SoCalGas' service territory. You can read more here.