Our Programs
Desert Outreach Foundation 2011 Scholarship Recipients
Your generous and ongoing financial support has enabled The Desert Outreach Foundation to continue our scholarship program despite difficult economic times. The Foundation has provided over $160,000.00 in scholarships to over 60 student since 1994. Our scholarships are based on financial need, scholastic achievement, and community involvement. We are proud to introduce our 2011 recipients:

Stephanie Benitez, 17. Honor student from Cathedral City High School. Accepted at UC Berkeley Pre-Law or Pre-Med
  • President, CCHS Interact Club community service organization supporting American Heart Walk, Paws and Hearts, Opera in the Park, Children's Discovery Museum, and Salvation Army.
    • "I am not ashamed of where I come from; rather I am proud of my roots because I am able to bring culture into all aspects of my life. I know that when I become successful I will not forget where I started, but remember those who helped, like my parents, and make sure to return the favor."

    Ana Orozco: 18. Honor student from Palm Springs High School. Accepted to University of California, Irvine as Pre-Med Biology major
  • Volunteer, Boys & Girls Club of Palm Springs
  • President of Palm Springs High School Recycling Club
  • Hospital Volunteer for bi-lingual Angel View Program
    • "Throughout my life I have always heard 'knowledge is power'. Schools are the foundations where every child develops into their future character. Through higher education it gives any person the opportunity to acquire knowledge... and this will lead us into greater opportunities for everyone."

    Daniel Polk: 5 time scholarship recipient. Ph.D. in Anthropology at Princeton
  • Co-President, Latino Graduate Student Association, Princeton University
  • Recruiter for Minority Graduate Students, Princeton University
  • Student Outreach Representative -Riverside Latino Voter Project
  • President & Founder-Latin American Student Association UC Riverside
  • Vice-President of Public Relations, Toastmasters International, Riverside
  • Student Participant, United Students Against Sweatshops, UC Riverside
    • " ...how I define a community - a group of individuals who provide mutual aid and support not for personal gain but for the good and strength of giving freely. I am who I am because of the support of the community; likewise, I wish to become a scholar and teacher so that I give back and pay forward the privilege of education."

    Vianey Ramos: 17. Honor student from Desert Hot Springs High School. Accepted to UCLA as a Pre-Psychology major
  • Volunteer, Storyland Preschool
  • Volunteer, Cabot Yerxa Elementary School
  • Volunteer, Desert Willows Community Garden
    • "... the love I received from my parents and community has not only inspired me to desire the best education, but to recognize my roots and remain humble. The seed of love that my parents implanted in me is coming to fruition and years to one day become implanted in someone else's heart to make the best of my community."

    Elizabeth Vieyra: 18. Honor student from Cathedral City High School. Accepted to UC Davis as a Political Science major.
  • Teen Docent Palm Springs Art Museum
  • S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions
  • Member, Invisible Children Club to support children in Uganda
    • "A good leader, I believe, possesses many qualities - optimism, self-confidence, open-mindedness, patience - and no one is born a leader. I want to be a leader to others and encourage people to change the world for the better, just as my people did when they left a footprint in history."
    Desert Outreach Foundation 2010 Scholarship Recipients
  • Leoda Valenzuela
    Graduated ranked 12th in class at Coachella Valley High School with a 3.8 GPA. Leoda has been accepted as a Pre-Biology major by the University of California, Santa Barbara who "recognized her extraordinary academic accomplishments and exceptional personal qualities."
  • Mariana Macias
    Graduated from the College of the Desert with a 3.8 GPA and a member of the Deans List every semester. Mariana's awards and accolades for her work within the community and as a student are just too many to list. She is now an English major at UCLA who recognized that she "brings an impressive array of strengths to her academic endeavors."
  • Maryanne Rolph
    A single a mother of 4 boys who has maintained a 3.3 GPA at The College of the Desert and has been accepted to their registered nurse program. Maryanne volunteers at the McCarthy Child development Center at The College of the Desert campus and was president of the Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) for over two years.
  • Kelli Roma
    In addition to raising her 2 school aged children, Kelli has been attending College of the Desert with a goal to become a registered nurse.
  • Jim Lister-Looker
    Jim and his partner are proud adoptive parents of two young children. With a goal to become an Education Specialist and then obtaining a Master of Education degree, Jim has a 3.9 GPA at California State University, San Bernardino.
    		•
    Several students have received multiple scholarships. Almost as proud parents, we have watched them over the years achieve their scholastic and vocational goals.
  • Daniel Polk
    6 time recipient. Earned B.A. in history from University of California, Riverside, an M.A. in cultural anthropology from Princeton University, and now working on his Ph.D. at Princeton University.
  • J. Scott Beaty
    A 4-time scholarship recipient, he is currently house pianist at the McCallum Theatre and has performed at the White House on multiple occasions.
    		•
    For every student that has received a scholarship there are two equally deserving students that we have not been able to support. Your generous donations will help turn student's goals into achievements.
    The Teddy Bear Program
    Community donations enable the Desert Outreach Foundation's "Children in Crisis" program to distribute Teddy Bears bearing the Foundation logo to children in area shelters, courts, hospitals and through local police and fire departments.
    Since the beginning of this program, the Desert Outreach Foundation has donated thousands teddy bears to comfort children in our community.
    Won't you do your part today to help the Desert Outreach Foundation to continue to provide these services?
    To make a donation, simply click the Donate Now button below.
    Desert Outreach Foundation IRS 501(c)(3) Tax ID #91-1940047
    1775 E. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 110, Palm Springs, CA 92264
    Telephone: 760-864-1234 Email: info@desertoutreachfoundation.org