The Los Alamitos Education Foundation donated $73,185 on July 25 to Los Alamitos Unified School District to fund stipends for seven counseling interns for the 2024-25 school year. The interns will work closely with Los Alamitos Unified Wellness Counselors at each school site. Los Alamitos USD has five Wellness Counselors providing curriculum and counseling support in school Well Spaces – Stacy Eatmon at Los Alamitos and Lee, Elementary Schools, Tina Heeren at McGaugh and Rossmoor Elementary Schools, Stacy Schmidt at Hopkinson and Weaver Elementary Schools, Dr. Kirsten Jensen at McAuliffe and Oak Middle Schools and Emily Ledterman at Los Alamitos High School.
With Well Spaces on all nine district campuses, LAEF is committed to partnering with the district to keep them well supported for the students each year. “We are so happy to continue to provide this additional support for our Well Spaces,” said LAEF Executive Director Carrie Logue. “Last year, we saw just how valuable these counseling interns were for our schools and our students.”
“On behalf of the Board of Education, we are truly grateful for the generous contributions made by the Los Alamitos Education Foundation,” said Dr. Andrew Pulver, LAUSD superintendent. “This donation highlights LAEF’s steadfast dedication to our students’ well-being, while also enabling the District to draw in a greater number of skilled interns. This partnership with LAEF not only enriches the educational experience for our students but also invests in the growth and development of our future school counselors.”
This marks the ninth consecutive year that LAEF has made funding mental health a top priority. In total, LAEF has invested $617,590 since 2017 to build, furnish and stock Well Spaces district-wide and support the salaries of Los Alamitos Unified’s mental health counselors. These donations are possible because of LAEF’s major donor group: the Los Al Leadership Circle (LALC). LALC members are distinguished, significant supporters who commit to donating a minimum of $1,000 annually to LAEF’s visionary work. To learn more, please visit LAEF4Kids.org/LALC.
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to children in grades Pre-K to 12. LAEF impacts all students by providing significant funding for mental health, STEAM teachers/instruction, and program scholarships, as well as igniting new programs and providing valuable resources.
For more information, visit LAEF4Kids.org or call (562) 799-4700 Extension 80424.
