California Credit Union Foundation's Commitment to Education
The California Credit Union Foundation continues to demonstrate its commitment to supporting education through the annual College Scholarship Program. Recently, the foundation awarded 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to exceptional students from Los Angeles and Ventura counties. This initiative acknowledges not just academic excellence, but also active community involvement and volunteerism, values that are paramount in today’s society.
Recognizing Excellence in Education
On June 23, 2025, the foundation celebrated the hard work and dedication of these students who are about to embark on their college journeys. Among the recipients was Nathan Lieber from Saugus High School, who was honored alongside fellow outstanding scholars. The foundation’s president, Marvel Ford, expressed pride in recognising these young individuals who represent the bright future of their communities. Ford noted,
“We believe in the power of education to transform lives, and through these scholarships, we're investing in the potential of tomorrow's leaders.”
List of Recipients
The 2025 scholarship recipients are:
- - Alyssa Acevedo - Westchester Enriched Sciences Magnet, Los Angeles
- - Natalie Ai-ling Ou - West High School, Torrance
- - Brianna Aman Baltazar - James Garfield High School, East Los Angeles
- - Joaquin Cervantes - North High School, Torrance
- - Emanuel Duarte - Santee Education Complex, Los Angeles
- - Estrella Garrido Arana - Huntington Park High School, Huntington Park
- - Luke Gaynor - Culver City High School, Culver City
- - Greceldy Hau - Thousand Oaks High School, Thousand Oaks
- - Gavin Herbers - West High School, Torrance
- - Tiffany Hernandez - Alliance Collins Family College-Ready High School, Huntington Park
- - Olivia Jimenez - Pioneer High School, Whittier
- - Nathan Lieber - Saugus High School, Santa Clarita
- - Kamren Miller - Millikan High School, Long Beach
- - Max Mooney - Milken Community School, Los Angeles
- - Silvia Pinto - John Muir Early College Magnet, Pasadena
- - Emily Priestly - Ramon Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, Los Angeles
- - Destiny Rivera Martinez - San Pedro High School Gifted STEAM Magnet, San Pedro
- - Jaenna Sambilay - Marshall Fundamental Secondary School, Pasadena
- - Charles Simon - Venice High School, Los Angeles
- - Abigail Widmann - Redondo Union High School, Redondo Beach
A Legacy of Support
Since its inception in 2005, the California Credit Union Foundation's scholarship program has awarded over $455,000 to deserving students across multiple counties, including San Diego, Riverside, Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura. This financial support not only alleviates some of the burdens associated with college expenses but also encourages students to maintain high academic standards - a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to apply.
The foundation prides itself on returning 100% of donations into community programs, which are essential for creating lasting impacts. The continued investment in youth education is a cornerstone of their mission, aimed at enhancing community well-being and empowering future generations.
About California Credit Union Foundation
California Credit Union Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, serving as the philanthropic branch of California Credit Union. Transitioning towards a brighter future, the foundation is dedicated to improving the financial health of communities through targeted initiatives. As recognized by Forbes as a Best-In-State Credit Union in 2024, California Credit Union has grown to encompass over $5 billion in assets and approximately 200,000 members.
To learn more about their community efforts or make a tax-deductible donation, you can visit
ccu.com/foundation or follow them on Instagram @ccufoundation.
This initiative showcases how local financial institutions can play a definitive role in nurturing tomorrow's leaders, proving that together, we can create an empowered and educated society.