California

"A report released last week by the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank, found that grants and scholarships have failed to keep up with rising costs of higher education. The total cost of attending college increased as prices for books, fees, room, board and other living expenses rose. The study found that aid to students has not kept pace with these additional costs and that more low-income students may be unable to cover the price of higher education."

"For seven years, the Long Beach Community Action Partnership has provided opportunities for low-income youths to receive training in fields such as digital photography and music production. Through the partnership's Leadership Academy & Mentoring Program (LAMP), middle and high school students study subjects in highly specialized fields in courses taught by industry professionals. Each semester, up to 50 students are accepted into the after-school program, and many of them have gone on to enter careers in arts and entertainment, according to Darick Simpson, the partnership's executive director."

"It is well known that in the United States, women and children in low-income families have significantly higher death rates than women and children of affluent families. However, new research shows that we have a well-established and evidenced-based program that can reduce those higher death rates."

"Orange County has 301 students classified as homeless,' according to the McKinney-Vento Act. The percentage of economically disadvantaged students is more difficult to calculate because of the perception among older, high school students that their peers will discover they qualify for free or reduced lunches."

"Summer learning loss happens when students spend summer vacation idly. Studies have shown that this is disproportionately common among low-income students versus their middle-income peers. Compared with their middle-income peers, low-income students often don't have opportunities to be exposed to educational and enrichment experiences, such as summer camp, family vacations, sports leagues and access to books at home."

"Leaders in Los Angeles' gay community say Herman's predicament is increasingly common. Though society has changed rapidly over the last several years and gay people overall feel greater acceptance, gay seniors face a unique set of challenges as they age, particularly when trying to find affordable housing."