Strauss Public Service Scholarship
The Center for Service and Action congratulates
Isabel Arrastia and Beth Shaw
as the 2008 Donald Strauss Public Service Scholarship Award recipients!
Beth and Isabel's Executive Summary: ( ESFUERZA: Empowering the Global Woman in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS)
Physiologically, women are more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases than men; combine this fact with patriarchal structures that pervade societies throughout the world, and it is no surprise that women have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS in recent years. Furthermore, while low-income women are especially vulnerable to this fatal disease, government funding and resources for prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS are minimal for this portion of humanity. For our project we plan to contribute to the fight against HIV/AIDS by empowering women—both at home and abroad. During the summer, we will work at the 17th biannual International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, fundraising and helping with a program that provides scholarships for impoverished women from around the world to attend the conference. Through this, we will help break the cultural silence surrounding AIDS, providing these women a safe place to speak about their personal experiences with the disease. Following this, we will create a similar space for young women at the Dolores Mission parish in East Los Angeles to discuss issues such as healthy sexuality; balanced relationships; and positive female identity. Through these dialogues, we will empower these young women to develop confidence in themselves and thus become beacons of hope in fighting a disease that exploits gender inequality.
The Donald A. Strauss Foundation awards a Public Service Scholarship to one LMU student every year. The scholarship will provide you with $10,000 to fund your service project.
Note: Your LMU financial aid will not be adversely affected if you are selected as a recipient.
Qualifications:
- Must be a student in their junior year
- Maintain satisfactory academic performance
- Have an innovative concept for your public service project.
Completed applications are due in the Center for Service and Action (Malone 360) on Monday, February 9, 2009 by 5:00 pm.
Application Materials
1. A current official transcript
2. Minimum of two and a maximum of three letters of recommendation from individuals who are well acquainted with the student's work (academic or service); these can be from a current academic institution, organizations (including community or public service organizations), former teachers, employers, community representative, etc.
3. Application information should include an application summary that lists:
- the university's name;
- the applicant's name, addresses (permanent and local/campus), phone numbers (campus and cell), GPA, major, interests and hobbies;
- the Project Title and a ONE PARAGRAPH executive summary of the Proposal;
4. One page autobiography (the perfect opportunity for the Strauss Foundation to meet you - on paper!).
5. One Page Resume (include current and past community service)
6. A Project Proposal - Each nominee will submit a proposal for a community or public service project which would be carried out between the end of his or her Junior year and the spring of the Senior year. The proposal document should be limited to 4 pages typed and double spaced . These proposals shall become a major focus of the selection process.
Proposal Focus Areas:
a) Project Introduction / Background
b) Program Description
c) Partners & Resources
d) Timeline
e) Budget (up to $10,000)
f) Sustainability
For sample proposals visit the Donald Strauss Website at: www.straussfoundation.org/sample_proposals.html
7. Signed and dated Acceptance Agreement .
For more information, contact Lorena Chavez by calling 310.338.2959.