Beat the Odds® Program

Since 1990, Children's Defense Fund has honored remarkable young people who have beaten incredible odds to succeed through the Los Angeles Beat the Odds® program. These young people, like 2008 Los Angeles Beat the Odds honorees “Ayo” Ajijolaiya, who endured homelessness and the lack of family support, and Janet Robles, who experienced constant displacement due to financial instability, display incredible self-determination and a drive toward empowerment through achievement. Though all recipients tell stories of tremendous adversity that effect too many of our youth, they also share the common thread of hard work, academic excellence, and service to their communities.

Every year, ten students are selected and the top five finalists are honored at CDF’s Annual Los Angeles Beat the Odds Awards. To ensure continued success, each of the five finalists receive a $10,000 scholarship, intensive SAT preparation, case management services, career and college counseling assistance, access to CDF’s internship, service and job opportunities, leadership training courses, college visits, and other goods and services that will provide the finalists academic and personal support. Each of the five semi-finalists receive a $1,000 scholarship, limited SAT preparation, college counseling services, and access to CDF’s network of internship, service and job opportunities.

The Los Angeles Beat the Odds program runs on the belief that, given opportunity, these courageous young men and women will continue to show dedication to success and community. UC Berkeley Student Leilanie Pallen (recipient of 2006 award) and UC Berkeley Alumnus Princess Allen (recipient of 2001 award) stepped forward with other campus leaders to help launch a new CDF SPROUT® program at UC Berkeley that will focus on poverty reduction among children in the San Francisco Bay Area.

The support of local school officials, community leaders, politicians, celebrities, and the media help make our annual Beat the Odds events successful. For more information, or if you would like to nominate a high school junior who strives to “beat the odds,” please visit the application website.

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