Richstone Educational Enterprise Project (REEP)

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In Southeast Los Angeles, there is a densely populated community where over 32,500 residents live within 1.5 square miles. Ninety percent of the residents are Hispanic and 87.6% of the residents speak a first language other than English. The only middle school, Lennox Middle School, serves the academic needs of the community. Eighty percent of the boys are gang affiliated by the eighth grade. According to a 1998 study at California State University Dominguez Hills, 65% of Lennox students drop out of high school - three times more than the state average for Hispanic students.

It is here that the Richstone Educational Enterprise Project (REEP) was started. The program, founded by Eric Eisner, identifies and fosters academically bright and driven students who must overcome extraordinary challenges to help them excel in school. For the past twelve years, REEP has pushed students to challenge themselves scholastically and helped them enroll in the top private high schools throughout Los Angeles. REEP also assists students with college applications as they transition to college. This long-term approach to support encourages students to go on to the nation's top schools including Harvard, Yale, Boston College, Wesleyan University, USC, Berkley and many others.

The Summa Children's Foundation supports the work of REEP through scholastic scholarships to students in the program. "Every penny of the money donated through The Summa Children's Foundation goes to the most meaningful scholarships to get these children into school," said Eric Eisner, Founder of REEP.

Through grant money directly donated by The Summa Children's Foundation, REEP offers the following support to its students:

• Brentwood School Summer Program - For REEP students, language skills are often their greatest handicap. The summer writing workshop prepares them for their first year in school.
• Supplemental Tuition - While REEP students receive scholarships to attend high school and college, they often fail to cover 100% of tuition costs. REEP provides the balance due so students can attend the schools where they have been admitted.
• Medical Care - Many REEP students come from families without health insurance. If a medical crisis interferes with the student's scholastic work, REEP provides access to doctors and medicine otherwise unavailable to these children.
• SAT Prep Classes - REEP high school juniors attend a group SAT Prep Class. This class consistantly raises student scores by over 100 points.
• Travel Expenses - For REEP students who win scholarships to competitive summer programs, transportation and living expenses are provided.

With assistance from The Summa Children's Foundation, REEP has grown into an impressive program. Each year, REEP accepts 25 new students while mentoring and supporting those already enrolled. The program currently serves 170 students.

"All intelligent students should have the right to excel if they work hard. REEP offers bright children and youth an avenue to succeed. REEP helps them overcome financial and other obstacles that keep them from reaching their fullest potential," said Jim Miles, Summa Children's Foundation Co-Founder. "We are proud to stand behind an organization that does such impressive work for our community's youth."

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