“I am very pleased that this grant will enable TAM to continue its excellent programs, which teach the importance of science and math and expose young people to the exciting opportunities available to them in the field of aviation,” Congresswoman Richardson said. “I am a strong supporter of programs that help at-risk youth explore their capabilities beyond their often limited personal situations and inspire them to dream and aim for higher goals.”

 

TAM will use the funds to provide aviation education and training through afterschool and summer workshops and events to approximately 400 at-risk youths from the Compton Unified School District and the Los Angeles Unified School District. The programs offered will include flight training, homework and tutoring assistance, and presentations and mentoring from aviation experts.

 

“Through my work in Congress, I will continue to push for the funding needed to sustain programs like this one, which encourage in youth a positive life direction,” Congresswoman Richardson added. “Just this July, I welcomed to Washington 15-year-old Kimberly Anyadike, a participant in the program, in her record-setting flight from Compton to Newport News, VA, for which she became the youngest African American female ever to fly cross-country solo, forever changing her life. As young people like Kimberly learn and grow from the experience of this program, I look forward to them using the skills and knowledge they will acquire and entering careers in science and technology and becoming the next generation of our nation’s aviators.”