https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/home daily 1.0 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634174300827-6AONYO31S2A1G23VNUSR/LAC+Logo.png Home - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/eeb41ef2-9cc2-4a34-9461-d3aa7659b485/LAC+20th+Logo+Updated.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/ba2786d2-df99-44b3-95b9-1e9eee1a31ab/IMG_3203.jpg Home LA Challenge Volunteer Board for Directors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634176924126-8QHBI45YFHQMXWH0Y0FZ/Graduation-Ceremony-Stock-Photo-01.jpg Home - Overview Los Angeles Challenge is a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the South Bay, committed to expanding educational opportunity for youth with financial need. Our all-volunteer team has awarded supplementary scholarships to help over 100 students attend private middle and high schools from San Pedro to Downtown LA—opening doors to academic achievement, mentorship, and college access. Many of our scholars have gone on to become the first in their families to attend college, creating lasting change for themselves and their communities. Your support helps transform potential into progress. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634176887368-ZC5TNMSPHCCOFY6I5IAC/_DSC0633.jpg Home - Our Mission We’re embracing the challenge of promoting positive change in the lives of low income children by providing opportunities for achievement through high quality K-12 education. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/donate daily 0.75 2023-08-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635473982878-C67QVAKE8M2UCPRXX8MN/unsplash-image-0RDBOAdnbWM.jpg Donate - Support Our Students The cost of educating a child often starts at $7,600 per year. Your gracious donations will fund students’ tuitions, supplies, tutoring, and mentoring support, offering each supported child an equal opportunity to succeed. The Los Angeles Challenge is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Any Amount Helps Us Achieve Our Goals https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/apply daily 0.75 2026-03-16 https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/about-us daily 0.75 2025-07-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634949335066-HINKCCN2TR3TP2GI5DCR/011721-fa377a84-f042-4740-9ba1-998857a28d5e.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634949422360-9XH0H0KES52422WHIXHX/BMkbjG6iVpDaQgrBgLhdDooE4XGced5mjMtPZ22MjVTfi7y37667042066097268867.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634949527550-MBFKE8W8N8A65DEM3SN6/unnamed.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634950639445-YMELAMTLWPRT4YP2CFCY/82159147_10156784524317522_613552463533834240_n.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634950900702-ZV08K4XL6D2MLS4DSKFM/amerigo-los-angeles--bishop-montgomery-high-school-NVuj0Z.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634951042511-XJHC4RMIYACLP0MO7X18/st-bernard-entrance.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634951075417-1UDKNMAERDBKVPSRFPWV/InglewoodCampusReadingRoom.png About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634951288498-NO0RBCMG6D0EV1O7WJ4V/14328252329_f184f7665e_b.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634951389682-9ZFRVXU71YS3HX2K5ZK1/LA_Cathedral_HS.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1634951637686-DE458H1GEYP2LMRDFH7E/Vistamar-School.jpeg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635469823516-PK45GLFJSJ74RQ33BYT6/IMG_3217.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635470096398-2R1MUWMHTL92HP4LRYTO/IMG_3224.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635470156926-MWYERXKAYAWP024QRTMA/IMG_3212.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635888458917-Q5RVYWO6PL7XSHYPK0YC/IMG_3229.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635888524232-SV3J0K1EA1FSII2FOIMY/IMG_3221.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635889074682-L1U613GZVOL5O2GIRVXF/EF.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1615225322403-8M32U1NK41JYCCJQCWP7/Rectangle+25.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1615225298850-6RK21Y7YG7VPMPS9NQT9/Rectangle+27.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1654632869759-82LIBVZEPY9NMI6CMMV8/EF.png About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/051ee0a7-b302-4778-9446-4fc99341b633/2019-09-19.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/23e354a5-8a11-4459-85bd-c7a6c5a9ad6a/thomas-pagephotos-about-school-hist.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635470038363-DO2IGSNQ4UOWTUWCS5AN/IMG_3220.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/ad38ac56-d010-45d6-ad7c-4ba75169f829/Christ+Lutheran+Front+Campus+Photo+.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/824400d1-bae6-4529-9464-e34b5000c9f5/SPP+School.jpg About Us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635889074682-L1U613GZVOL5O2GIRVXF/EF.jpg About Us https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/contact-us daily 0.75 2022-07-11 https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/greg-bio daily 0.75 2021-11-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635470750883-J01E4G5DHFQ409P5104J/IMG_3217.jpg Greg Bio - Greg Alessandra CO-FOUNDER/ CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD/ PRESIDENT Greg Alessandra was fortunate to have attended diverse schools throughout his formative years. He attended Montessori School, St. John Fisher Catholic elementary school, and public high school (Rolling Hills High School) in Palos Verdes, California. He spent seventh grade in a Swiss Boarding School where he earned a diploma from the Académie Française. Greg graduated from Stanford University with Honors in Economics. He credits his parents' high prioritization of education for his success, and hopes to inspire a similar passion for learning within the students at the Los Angeles Challenge. Greg is the owner of Alessandra Capital Management, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisory firm, and is also a registered representative in the securities industry. He works closely with foundations, charities, and high net worth families in his business, and also serves as a Board Member on a Family Foundation. He resides in Palos Verdes Estates, California, and has three adult children. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/gina-bio daily 0.75 2022-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635471073663-55P9OU9S1LW2OBDIT342/IMG_3221.jpg Gina Bio - Gina Keller CO-TREASURER Gina has been volunteering with LAC since January 2019 and became Co-Treasurer in 2020. She retired from Northrop Grumman after 30+ years where she was a Payload Project Manager with expertise in Electrical Engineering. Gina is passionate about encouraging students to pursue academic success especially in the fields of science and technology. She is also an avid reader and enjoys learning about what books our LAC students enjoy. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/barbara-bio daily 0.75 2022-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635471341888-T81JSUVP65Q7BU5FVFZ3/IMG_3224.jpg Barbara Bio - Barbara Addleman VICE PRESIDENT Barbara Addleman joined the Los Angeles Challenge board in 2011 as the Director of Academics. She still holds that position as well as being Vice President. Barbara is a former teacher who taught for LAUSD for 32 years in South Central. The perspective gained there has helped her greatly with the challenges many of our scholarship recipients face. She has Master’s degrees in both Reading and Bilingual Education, was a mentor teacher, and in 1999 accepted the challenge of becoming one of the first California teachers to earn National Board Certification. This enabled her to work with the State in helping new teachers clear their California credentials. Barbara loves working with all of our scholarship recipients and watching them grow into competent adults who are able to achieve their dreams through their hard work and the excellent education they have received with the help of LAC. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/diamond-bio daily 0.75 2022-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635471431418-81SO8DCN0IY896E48AQA/IMG_3212.jpg Diamond Bio - Diamond Fischer BOARD MEMBER Diamond joined the Los Angeles Challenge as a Board Member in 2020. She has a year of prior experience working in the non-profit sector. In 2017, Diamond interned for The Giving Back Fund, a non-profit that facilitates charitable giving for various clients. In 2015, Diamond supported development for Youth Renovation, a non-profit that focuses on housing and youth restoration. Diamond also has the unique experience of being a past Los Angeles Challenge student from 2010 to 2013. As a Board Member, Diamond now focuses on supporting the cultivation of an alumni network for The Los Angeles Challenge along with other board initiatives. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with an Economics minor from Loyola Marymount University. She also recently attained a certificate in financial planning from Pepperdine University .She currently works in the personal finance industry as a Client Service Associate. When Diamond is not working or volunteering, she enjoys cooking, art, traveling, and spending time with her niece and nephew. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/gordana-bio daily 0.75 2022-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635471523652-GU42D2UUSYFBR4CF51CD/IMG_3220.jpg Gordana Bio - Gordana Swanson CO-FOUNDER Gordana Swanson co founded the Los Angeles Challenge in 2002, based on the belief that the path to success and economic independence is steered by quality education. The Los Angeles Challenge provides funding for deserving K-12 students who are economically disadvantaged, as well as providing mentoring and support to assure their academic success. Gordana’s professional career has been dedicated to public service. On the state level, she was appointed by the Governor of California to the Fair Political Practices Commission. She also served as Mayor and on the Rolling Hills City Council for 18 years. She dedicated 12 years to public transportation, where she led and secured local, state and federal funding for the groundbreaking and initial construction of the subway in Los Angeles. Gordana’s commitment to helping others has been a consistent theme throughout her career and her life. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/ariana-bio daily 0.75 2022-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635471746100-37RMM3RTUR1OUXWO3W33/IMG_3230.jpg Ariana Bio - Ariana Aritelli EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Ariana joined Los Angeles Challenge in 2021 as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. Ariana graduated with her M.A in Women’s Studies from San Diego State University in 2020 and her B.A in International Studies with a minor in Political Science from California State University, East Bay in 2017. Ariana is an activist who is passionate about fighting against racism, ableism, and sexism. She is a big believer in making all spaces more inclusive and diverse. She is thrilled to be a part of an organization whose mission is to make a positive impact on economically disadvantaged children. Besides being an outspoken advocate on social justice issues, Ariana also enjoys concerts, thrifting, and traveling. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/joseph-bio daily 0.75 2021-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635471812158-NEFG4SO05GNABJD2SWJJ/IMG_3244.jpg Joseph Bio - Joseph Newman DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Joseph joined Los Angeles Challenge in 2021 as the Director or Marketing and Media. Born and raised in and around the South Bay, he has ten years of non-profit involvement for different organizations and causes as well as working on his B.A in Film Studies. Before heading the media needs for LAC, Joseph has revamped businesses public image along with creating and maintaining the online presence for said organizations. With an extensive portfolio including video productions, photography shoots and web design, Joseph is helping to re-image Los Angeles Challenge's media needs with modern means of marketing and advertising growth. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/newsletter daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1636072264925-W0D505VXGFHHPMUVXKLM/unsplash-image-0aRycsfH57A.jpg Newsletter https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/kim-bio daily 0.75 2024-07-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/d413da4d-920d-4ac9-8e75-699a1415e0ab/IMG_3229.jpg Kim Bio - Kim Edwards CO-TREASURER VP, Branch Manager at Home Street Bank. Ms. Edwards has been in banking for over 30 years and serving the South Bay communities for the past 15 years. She also served on the board of Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Volunteer Center, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce, and as a member of the Rolling Hills Estates Kiwanis, Torrance Young Professional Alliance, and on the advisory board for Pediatric Therapy Network. Kim currently serves on the board of Los Angeles Challenge, H.E.L.P and Torrance Education Foundation. She has volunteered annually at the Palos Verdes Street Fair to raise money for the PV Young Professional’s Non-Profit of choice. She has participated with Operations Teddy Bear through the Volunteer Center and has been featured in the Pulse, Peninsula People, and Daily Breeze. Kim resides locally in Rancho Palos Verdes and loves cooking, shopping, and spending time with her granddaughter and dogs. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/kristen-bio daily 0.75 2022-06-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/1635888946506-HMOJTTEVNQQYUM0O0QXO/LAC+Logo+Shield.png.jpg Kristen Bio - Dr. Kristen Thompson SECRETARY Kristen Thompson, EdD is an educator with experience in urban and rural K-12 school districts serving as a teacher and administrator as well as in higher education at the University of Southern California serving as a program manager and an adjunct professor in the Rossier School of Education. Dr. Thompson’s educational passions include working with new teachers and new school leaders. Dr. Thompson earned two degrees from the University of Southern California: her doctorate in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Teacher Education and her Masters of Arts in Teaching. She also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Art History from the University of California, San Diego. Born and raised in the South Bay, Dr. Thompson returned to the area as an adult where she now enjoys spending time with her two small children, Riley and Brendan, and her husband, Mark. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/event-page daily 0.75 2023-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/9c57b3b3-7a16-46e0-9244-58a460f821be/P1100052.jpg Event Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/b203f25c-d252-40a3-98da-c5592cf247f1/P1100053.jpg Event Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/2d8b86e2-eb2f-417b-87a6-94193c9c158d/P1100055.jpg Event Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/808e1035-be5d-429b-b1cf-284fcb9ff2a9/P1100059.jpg Event Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/793d89ef-1f0d-4b66-853d-3e887ca6d9e3/P1100075.jpg Event Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/a55a82b5-4654-425f-9f55-294de8e11008/Holiday+2022.jpg Event Page - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/246bba05-aadc-4b79-ade0-d9cbcd464dc4/Board+2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/21bd2f0b-560a-44b4-a30c-d6bba1cab1b9/student+speakers+with+Kathy+and+Barbara.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/84ff3d85-daa0-4620-a654-13dce9588987/Greg+and+Grayson-2.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/bbd2b691-79e7-4551-b24c-719774bfb4be/Josue+and+Gina.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/f65b16a6-4fa9-4813-ad64-1b59d3999ce8/Ceylon+speaking.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/7029f850-a0c3-4533-9484-478bd54695a7/Guests.jpeg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/616779b367ddf841bd0232b5/efb0b4be-c746-4f32-815b-daaa81f6c860/P1100003.jpg Event Page - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.losangeleschallenge.org/donate-1 daily 0.75 2025-06-10