Previous Scholarship Recipients

2021 Recipient – The Center for Law and Social Policy www.clasp.org

In the challenging year of 2020, Drew’s legacy fund donated to the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP). CLASP is a national, nonpartisan, anti-poverty nonprofit advancing policy solutions for low-income people. They develop practical yet visionary strategies for reducing poverty, promoting economic opportunity, and addressing barriers faced by people of color. With over 50 years’ experience at the federal, state, and local levels, they are fighting back in today’s threatening political climate while advancing their vision for the future.

CLASP exemplifies Drew’s ideals by spearheading change in human rights and racial, gender and economic equality through whole family support. They advocate for policy and funding for childcare, healthcare, education and youth employment as well as addressing racial and economic inequities in education and employment. 

The drew King legacy fund is proud to support CLASP through our donation this year.

2020 Recipient Shiriel King Abramson

This year’s recipient Shiriel King Abramson exemplifies Drew’s spirit in the way she sees and lives her life, as well as in the work that she does.

Shiriel’s work includes helping immigrant women and children along the Mexico border to seek asylum in the United States. Her other interests and work cover a broad spectrum of experiences, such as expanding voting rights, helping companies promote a more inclusive work culture, baking bread to combat food insecurity, and using art to communicate about racial and social injustice. And Shiriel uses her writing to shine a light on those that most need support and recognition.

Shiriel advances the importance of each individual interaction as well as the need to address broader systemic challenges. And in all her work, Shiriel brings a focus on kindness as an essential element of building a better future.

2019 Recipient – Razan Turminini

Razan Turminini exemplifies Drew’s spirit in her strong volunteer record with marginalized communities and in her aspirations to become a Sociology major and “an advocate for those unable to advocate for themselves.” A student at California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo, she has volunteered with homeless people and with at risk youth as a tutor. Among her other activities, Razan co-founded a model United Nations on campus, is the president of three clubs, and volunteers in community service through the Rotary club. Razan describes herself as a warrior for peace and healing: “I aspire to light the way to a better world for all.”

2018 Recipient – Alexis Chavez-Serrano

Alex Chavez-Serrano exemplifies Drew’s spirit in his community involvement and social and environmental advocacy. His community work includes voter registration and coordinating a police forum to help improve police-community relations. He has been an advocate for climate change and immigrant rights. Alex graduated early from high school and was the youngest fellow at NextGen America. He is a sophomore at College of the Sequoias and his future goals include becoming a lawyer. 

2017 Recipient – The Mosaic Project 

CHARITYSMITH National Society of Memorial Funds
13100 Filly Lane
Truckee, CA 96161

“The Mosaic Project helped me understand and learn more about celebrating difference. It helped me create new strategies about how to make new friends. Mosaic helped me
understand that I can change the world for the better, even though I’m a kid.”

– Emma, 5th grade

Dear Stacey,

We are deeply grateful for CharitySmith National Society of Memorial Funds’ generous award of $5,000.00 made on 1/17/2017 through Drew King Memorial Fund. Your grant will allow The Mosaic Project to help more children like Emma realize their power. By supporting our approach to building a peaceful, inclusive, and diverse future, you are taking a tangible action to change the world. Together, we can create a culture where separation, prejudice, and discrimination no longer exist.

To recognize your contribution, we will acknowledge this award as Drew King Memorial Fund, Mosaic Peace Builder on our website and in our publications. Please contact us if you would like to be acknowledged differently.

With your help, The Mosaic Project has provided programs in diversity, empathy, and conflict resolution to more than 11,200 4th and 5th graders at our Outdoor School, approximately 26,000 elementary school students through our In-School Project, more than 1,900 young adults as part of our Youth Leadership Project, and more than 9,000 adults through the Mosaic Consulting Project.

We have also recently confirmed that our work sticks with our students. When surveyed after five years, more than 98 percent of Mosaic alumni responded that they are more likely to empathize with those different from themselves, more likely to interrupt discrimination, and better able to resolve conflicts peacefully.

Our world needs the lessons taught by The Mosaic Project and our world needs people like you. We live in a time of transition. Through your support, you have chosen to help guide our youth towards acceptance, empathy, and equity. For that, we cannot thank you enough.

Gratefully,

Lara Mendel
Co-Founder and Executive Director
The Mosaic Project is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Our tax ID number is 94-3367263. No goods or services were received for this contribution, which is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.
Lara E Mendel