P A R A M O U N T
PULSE BEAT Serving the Community Since 1990
Marukan Vinegar Makes Generous Donation to Revamped Paramount Education Partnership Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc., a longtime presence on the Paramount business scene, has shown its commitment to the City’s efforts at promoting education by donating $100,000 to the Paramount Education Partnership (PEP). The contribution helped mark Marukan’s 35th anniversary in town. PEP had its origins in 2002 when more than 500 parents, business people, clergy, teachers, school administrators, city staff and students came together for a series of public meetings to answer the question: “How can we dramatically increase educational attainment in our community?” From these discussions grew a strategy and a plan that became the basis for the Paramount Education Partnership, a collaboration between the City of Paramount, the Paramount Unified School District, Paramount Chamber of Commerce, and the non-profit Gateway Cities Partnership, Inc. Its overall mission has been to stress the importance of continuing education as an economic improvement tool for all residents.
Representatives of Marukan Vinegar (USA), Inc., which has been located in Paramount for 35 years, present a donation of $100,000 to City officials for the Paramount Education Partnership. From left: City Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal, Marukan’s Assistant General Manager Tosh Zamoto, Marukan president and COO Junichi Oyama, Mayor Gene Daniels, and Marukan National Sales Manager Jon Tanklage.
ray of programs serving thousands of Paramount kids and adults. For instance, two Community Learning Resource Centers have provided training and activities to enhance reading, writing, and mathematics for 2,300 K-8th students since 2004, Six Years of not to mention homework help five days a week for students from Accomplishments Since its inception, PEP has kindergarten through high school opened facilities and created an ar- (over 4,000 sessions, with an average attendance of 30 per session, since 2005). The CLRCs have also been utilized by hundreds of adults to Business Card Directory .........12-13 increase their basic English skills, Business Corner ................... 11 as well as gain computer literacy. More than 1,400 Paramount Cityscape ............................. 15 middle schoolers have taken part Closer Look ............................ 6 in MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Academy) since 2003. Held Help wanted .......................... 8 on the campus of California State Mayors Corner ....................... 3 University, Long Beach, MESA kids for possible careers Members Only...................... 14 prepares in math and science. The Saturday New Members ...................... 11 classes, spread throughout the year, offer important, inspirational On Patrol ............................... 4 also exposure to a college setting. PEP ........................................ 5 Out in the community, PEP promotores have spread the word Service Clubs........................ 13 about educational opportunities and
September 2008
Paramount Chamber of Commerce
PULSE BEAT
15357 Paramount Boulevard, Paramount, CA 90723
Paramount City Manager Linda Benedetti-Leal addresses the Paramount Chamber of Commerce Business Participation Committee on new PEP developments and plans for the educational outreach program.
the tools needed to succeed. Workshops have been held to specifically inform Latina women and their families on the education-related resources available locally. The annual PEP auction has brought in substantial amounts of money to fund scholarships for Paramount students attending community college, trade school or university. To date, 61 scholarships totaling $183,000 have been awarded.
Plans For Growth
Now, as PEP enters its 7th year, a change in its administration has produced a review of its mission and an eagerness to further amplify its reach and influence. The Gateway Cities Partnership, Inc. has closed, and the City of Paramount is now running the program. In addition, the Paramount Chamber of Commerce Business Participation
See PEP on page 5 BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 4 PARAMOUNT, CA 90723