Scholars and their parents participated in the orientation for the BMO Thrive Academy on June 15 at USC. (photo courtesy of Thrive Scholars)

Evelin Jimenez, a high school junior from Compton, dreamed of attending University of Southern California through scholarships, but lacked access to advanced college preparation opportunities. But thanks to the new BMO Thrive Academy – Los Angeles at USC, her dream is now within reach.

Thrive Scholars, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting high-achieving, first-generation students, announced the expansion of its Thrive Academies program to Los Angeles. The initiative, supported by a significant $3 million donation from BMO, is set to create a profound social impact, offering transformative educational opportunities and career pathways for local students.

“Coming from a small high school, I’ve never had these opportunities before, so being a part of Thrive’s program and being chosen to participate makes it special for me and my parents as a first-generation student,” Jimenez said. “This program helps me get the education I need to succeed in life and pursue my dream of majoring in criminology or criminal justice to become an FBI agent. I know that Thrive can help me open the door to those connections.”

The Thrive Academies program is free to qualifying students and builds on the success of Summer Academy, Thrive Scholars’ flagship six-week program. It provides rigorous academic preparation in calculus, coding and writing, along with college admissions counseling and career development support. The BMO Thrive Academy will empower hundreds of students each year, equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to excel in higher education and beyond. This summer, it will host its inaugural cohort of over 170 students for an intensive six-week program. These students, boasting an impressive 3.9 average GPA, represent the next generation of leaders, innovators and changemakers. BMO Thrive Academy runs from June 24-Aug. 2 at USC.

“Our investment in BMO Thrive Academy – Los Angeles underscores BMO’s commitment to creating progress in underserved communities by breaking down barriers to higher education,” said Kimberley Goode, chief communications and social impact officer at BMO. “Through our work with Thrive Academy, we are creating pathways for our community’s future leaders, and we look forward to continue growing the program in Los Angeles.”

“The launch of BMO Thrive Academy – Los Angeles marks a significant step toward increasing economic mobility for our Scholars,” said Martha Sanchez, executive director of Thrive Scholars Los Angeles. “By providing top-college preparation and career pathways, we are not only helping students achieve their academic goals but also equipping them with the skills and networks necessary to thrive in their careers. This program is a vital part of our commitment to fostering long-term success for high-achieving youth from underserved communities.”

Thrive Scholars alumni have expressed strong support for the Thrive Academies initiative, actively giving back to the program that helped shape their futures. The collaborative effort aims to address the unique challenges faced by Los Angeles’ underserved communities and provide high-achieving, talented students with the resources they need to succeed.

“As a Thrive Scholar alum and now assistant site director for Thrive Academies here in L.A., I’m excited to give back to the program that helped shape my future,” Izzy Harbor said. “Thrive Academy gave me the tools to succeed in college and beyond. Now, I have the privilege of mentoring and supporting the next generation of scholars. Seeing the impact of this program on our community is incredibly rewarding.”

For information, visit thrivescholars.org or bmo.com.