CLERK Application for Appointment to
CITIN
2025 MAR 27 PM 12:58 City Board or Commission
Please provide the following information and return this application to the Office of the City Clerk by:
• EMAIL to the Office of the City Clerk at [email protected]; • U.S. MAIL to Office of the City Clerk, 613 E. Broadway Suite 110, Glendale, CA 91206-4308; or • FAX to (818) 241-5386
Applicant must be a Glendale resident and registered to vote in the city.
Your application details must match your voter registration information.
PRINT LEGIBLY OR TYPE
Name of Board or Commission:Community Development Block Grant Advison Date: March 25, 2025 Are you currently serving on this Board or Commission and applying for reappointment? • Yes @ No
1. Personal
Legal Name:Lea Awni
Home Addre
Home Phone Number:
Email Address
Number of years lived in Glendale:15
Are you a registered voter in the City of Glendale? (required) • Yes • No Have you previously served on a Board or Commission? • Yes *J No If Yes, what Commission(s) and years did you serve?
II. Education
College: Southern Philippines Agriculture, Marine Degree: Bachelor of Science in Secondary Edt College:Western Governors University Degree Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity A III. Business / Professional Experience
Position:President Company Name:Family First Foundation, Corp.
Address
Telephone Number:
Job Description: Lead a nonprofit providing educational opportunities for underserved youth. Manage $350K budget anc partnerships with major organizations (LA Dodgers Foundation, UCLA Athletics). Develop programs serving ,200+ students annually, including college prep workshops and STEM initiatives. Focus on creatin quitable access to resources through strategic community collaborations Design Review Board Candidates Only
Are you a registered architect? • Yes • No Registration Number:_ K-506 (1/25) (over)
IV. Organizations / Civic Activities
List Affiliations:
Glendale Council PTA
President (2022-Present) | Vice President (2021-2022) Professional Associations - Govern district-wide advocacy for 26 schools (25,000+ students) - Advocate 10,000 Members of the PTA
Caried a 5er ky 22- resetiy Professionals (SCP
Family First Foundation CompTIA IT Professional Associatior - President (2018 Present) dember (2021-Present
- Partnered with Lakers/Dodgers foundations to deliver:
- College access programs (1,200+ annual participants) Cord Developmen Contee (2020-2022) - $20OK scholarship fund
V. Qualifications / Experience
List relevant experience and skills:
Family First Foundation President (2018-Present)
• Managed $350K annual budget • Govern a school Unit Plent (2022-Present) - Created college prep programs for 1,200+ youth/year
• Lobie for speed tuationgta eur pis community
Impact
- Partnered with pro sports organizations (Clippers, Dodgers, Rams. etc.) for LA Future Program
- Designed district-wide Gifted and Talented students through Tech Hub a STEAM education initiative.
VI. Other Information
(A) Attach a current resume.
(B) Include a brief written statement outlining your views on the roles and responsibilities of this Board or Commission, its key issues, and your goals if appointed. (attach an additional sheet if necessary) (C) If applicable, include the commission(s) on which you have served previously and include the time frame.
A. Attached
B. As a candidate for the CDBG Advisory Committee, I am keenly aware of one of Glendale's most pressing challenges: the widening pportunity gap in our rapidiy gentrifying communities. While our city thrives economically, many low-income residents-particularly le Rossmoyne and Pacific Park neighborhoods-are being left behind, with CDBG applications disproportionately favoring large established nonprofits over grassroots organizations that serve these vulnerable populations.
Key Challenges & Solutions:
1. Equitable Access to Funding
- Current Gap: Emerging community-based organizations (COs) lack capacity to navigate complex CDBG application processes.
2. Data-Driven Targeting
- Current Gap: Funds aren't always allocated to areas with highest need (e.g., Census Tract 3034 has 22% poverty rate but receives only 9% of CDBG $).
3. Youth Program Gaps
- Current Gap: Only 18% of current CDBG education funds support high schoolers, despite rising dropout rates in Glendale's Látino and Armenian immigrant communities.
Why I'm Prepared to Address These Issues
is PTA President, I've seen families priced out of tutoring/services CDBG could support. With my technical skills, I can build monitorin tools to ensure solutions work (e.g., tracking CBO award rates). families insure CBG funds don*t just check HUD boxes -but actualy reach the kitchen tables where Glendale's hardest-working C. N/A
NOTE: THIS FORM BECOMES PUBLIC INFORMATION. INFORM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT THAT YOU DO NOT WANT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.
K-506 (1/25)
Lea Awni
City of Glendale Commissioner
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Advisory Committee Qualifications and Interest Statement
As a dedicated community leader and advocate for equitable resource distribution, l am excited to apply for a position on the CDBG Advisory Committee. My extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, community outreach, budgeting and program management aligns seamlessly with the committee's mission to allocate federal funds effectively for low-income services and neighborhood revitalization.
Key Qualifications:
• Proven Leadership: As President of the Family First Foundation (2018-Present) and Director of Community Relations (2010-2018), I have overseen fiscal operations, fundraising, and partnerships with high-profile organizations (e.g., Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, LA Clippers, NASA, Disney, Google, UCLA Athletics, others) to support underserved youth and families.
• Created college access programs serving 1,200+ Glendale and Greater Los Angeles youth annually. JPL Boy Scouts 'Board of Review' Chair. • Designed gifted-advanced learners STEM program for GUSD students.
Partnered with professional sports organizations to fund STEM education initiatives.
• Community Engagement Expertise: Developed and implemented outreach programs with LA/Ventura Housing Authority, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Glendale Unified School District PTAs, ensuring resources reach marginalized populations. • Glendale Resident for 15+ Years, actively engaged as a parent and PTA leader, currently serving as Glendale Council PTA President (2023-Present). • Oversee advocacy initiatives across 24 schools, ensuring compliance with state/federal education guidelines.
• Official representative to California State PTA Legislation Developed district-wide policy framework for technology equity in low- income schools.
• Education Technology Specialist
• Cybersecurity Specialist with certifications in IT management (CompTIA, ITIL®) with skills in data-driven program evaluation and performance tracking. • Designed digital literacy programs for underserved student.
Alignment with CDBG Committee Requirements:
• Glendale Elector: Resident of Montrose (Glendale-adjacent) with deep ties to the community through PTA and nonprofit work.
• Conflict-Free Commitment: No current decision-making role in organizations eligible for CDBG funds.
• Collaborative Approach: Adept at balancing diverse stakeholder interests, from board members to grassroots volunteers, to achieve consensus on funding priorities.
Vision for the Committee
If appointed, I will leverage my expertise to:
1. Conduct Needs Assessments: Engage directly with low-income residents to identify gaps in services and prioritize funding for housing, education, and youth programs.
2. Evaluate Proposals Objectively: Apply rigorous analysis to ensure proposals align with CBDG/HUD goals and demonstrate measurable impact.
3. Promote Transparency: Advocate for clear communication with the public and funded agencies to build trust in the allocation process. Maintain strict ethical standards with no organizational conflicts.
With my proven track record of transforming policy into tangible results for Glendale's students, I stand ready to:
• Optimize CDBG fund allocation through data-driven decision making • Amplify community voices in the funding prioritization process • Ensure every dollar creates maximum impact for our underserved populations My unique perspective-bridging legislative advocacy with on-the-ground program execution—positions me to immediately strengthen the Committee's work. I would value the opportunity to discuss how my combination of policy expertise and demonstrated results in education equity can advance the Committee's mission.