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The Margie & Robert E. Petersen Scholarship Endowment for Transition Age Foster Youth

The Robert and Margie Petersen Scholarship Endowment supports Transitional Age Foster Youth in Pasadena and Los Angeles pursuing career and technical education, addressing persistent funding gaps through mentorship and financial assistance to improve college completion and career success.

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OVERVIEW

About the Fund

The Robert and Margie Petersen Scholarship Endowment for Transition Age Foster Youth was established in late 2021 to provide financial support for Transitional Age Foster Youth (or TAY) pursuing career and technical education/vocational training in the Pasadena and Los Angeles regions. The funding allowed PCF to create the Petersen Scholars Program.

Based on extensive research and community collaboration, the Petersen Scholars Program leverages education advocates, opportunities for mentorship, and specialized financial support, all designed to help TAY remain in college, achieve their educational aspirations, and establish professional careers.

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Addressing Funding Gaps and Local Need

Launched in 2022 with the support of community nonprofit and college partners, the Petersen Scholars Program works to remove the typical obstacles encountered by transition age foster youth as they pursue their education. Despite financial aid and free tuition at community colleges, significant funding gaps persist for this population, leading to low rates of college completion. Program participants will receive annual support for two years to help deficits in funding.

Scholarship Fund Impact

Through this scholarship fund, PCF has been able to

  • Provide sustained funding for scholarship programs for students throughout Greater Pasadena.
  • Expand equitable educational pathways
  • Empower educational organizations to expand their services and reach more students in need.
  • Support flexibility
  • Allows PCF to direct resources when and where they are needed most, respond quickly to emerging needs, and fill funding gaps that restricted gifts can’t cover.

Contact Us

For more information about PCF giving opportunities, please contact
Pasadena Community Foundation
301 E. Colorado Blvd., Suite 810
Pasadena, CA., 91101
626.796.2097
pcfstaff@pasadenacf.org

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