Low-Income Residents Win 2 Scholarships

In recognition of their high academic achievement and dedication to the community, two low-income housing residents from Sun Valley received scholarship grants from a nonprofit organization of affordable housing agents and owners.

The Affordable Housing Management Assn. Foundation awarded Marlene Urrea, 17, a $1,500 scholarship and Joi Wilson, 32, a $500 grant to be used for future educational opportunities.

Both scholarship winners are residents of Sunland Park Apartments, an affordable housing complex managed by G&K; Management Co.

The chairman of the housing management association, John Grady, said the scholarship program, named for his father Dan Grady, is especially important because of the overall decline in support for residents of affordable housing.

“These scholarships help those with limited options see that the world is full of opportunity,” John Grady said in a press release.

A recent graduate of San Fernando High School,Urrea plans to attend UCLA in the fall to study business and public policy.

Her long list of high school accomplishments includes a certificate of appreciation for community service from Rep. Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills).

Urrea has also participated in other civic efforts such as the unsuccessful campaign to defeat the anti-affirmative action initiative, Proposition 209.

Wilson is a painter and member of the International Black Writers and Artists, who plans to use her award money to attend the Union Institute College of Undergraduate Studies in Los Angeles to study art.

Through her art, Wilson tries to convey the importance of family, support and love, she said. She currently has an oil painting scholarship at Everywoman’s Village in Van Nuys.

Urrea and Wilson were among 16 winners selected by the affordable housing foundation from a field of 100 entrants in Southern California, Arizona and Southern Nevada. The housing organization awarded $18,750 in scholarships this year.