The All Ways Up Foundation Announces New Program to Increase the Minimum Wage for its Working College Students

    LOS ANGELES, CA, September 29, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The All Ways Up Foundation (www.allwaysup.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports low-income, first-generation youth is launching its Working Scholars Program for the 2016-2017 academic school year to show support for a national increase in the minimum wage. All of the Foundation's scholars currently working up to 20 paid hours a week will be eligible to have their net paychecks matched up to 50%. These funds will be in addition to the up to $2,500 of renewable annual college scholarship funds the scholars are already receiving from the Foundation.

With a federal minimum wage of $7.25, a student working full-time would earn $15,080 a year, a figure that is grossly insufficient to cover average school and living expenses. A 2015 Georgetown University study found that 70% of college students work part or full-time, with 45% of those younger workers earning wages at or below the federal poverty line. Low-income, first-generation students already come from economically disadvantaged situations, and often lack support to guide them through the collegiate process. This program seeks to buttress the work/school balance for its scholars facing these challenges. The Working Scholars Program encourages a work/school balance by offering extra financial support and mentorship. To be eligible for the program, students may not work more than 20 hours per week, so that they stay focused on academic pursuits, while working towards a living wage.

"Many of our scholars are forced to work in jobs sweeping their schools' floors and serving other students food, just trying to make enough money to pay for their tuition, housing, and food," said Founder and CEO of the All Ways Up Foundation, Greg Perlman. "The All Ways Up Foundation wants to acknowledge all the work they are doing in and outside of the classroom by providing them a living wage as a reward for their hard work."

The All Ways Up Foundation is a charitable, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organization established in 2009. The mission of the Foundation is to help first-generation and low-income youth get to AND through college. By providing scholarships, support for other non-profit organizations and an annual leadership summit, we are working to bridge the gap between ambition and opportunity to break the generational cycle of poverty. To date, the All Ways Up Foundation has awarded over $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 250 students. For further information about the Foundation and the scholarship program, visit our website at http://www.allwaysup.org.

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