LOS ANGELES, July 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- HENAAC a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to keeping America technologically strong by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers will convene with public officials, the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to launch the STEM-Up Initiative in Boyle Heights, Monday, July 6, 2009, at Hollenbeck Middle School. The STEM-Up Initiative is a HENAAC program funded through a contract from the Department of Defense as administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Los Angeles District office.

In these days of social and economy polarization it is critical to underline that America's security, prosperity, and well-being depend more and more on the vitality of our technical workforce. With today's intense global competition for ideas and talent, we must sustain our nation's educational drive as it relates to STEM. The first of its kind, the STEM-Up Initiative will bring STEM Career and College Pathways to light in Boyle Heights.

The initiative will provide educational and enrichment opportunities to the students, teachers, and parents of the 13 Elementary and 3 Middle Schools that feed into Roosevelt and Mendez High Schools. The initiative will be implemented through a community by community solution of a value chain of opportunities that create college and career pathways to be able to pursue professions in STEM. The initiative will work with community organizations to connect the 80,000 Boyle Heights residents to the surrounding STEM community, consisting of institutions of higher learning, government agencies, corporations, and other organizations.

The Press Conference will be featuring the partnerships with U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard; Principal Director, Clarence Johnson, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary, Department of Defense; Col. Thomas H. Magness IV, Commander U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, Board President Monica Garcia, Los Angeles Unified School District; Dr. Mohammad H. Qayoumi, President, California State University, East Bay, Chair, Engineering Initiative, California State University; Dean, H. Keith Moo-Young, Jr., Ph.D., College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology, CSULA; and HENAAC Board of Director; Chair and CEO, Ray Mellado, HENAAC.

Concurrently, the STEM-Up Initiative launch will host a Community event where parents, students, and community members will be given an overview of the STEM-Up Initiative, and how the initiative will provide support to the Boyle Heights Community. Additionally, participants will be provided with resources and information pertaining to college and career pathways in STEM, as well as the opportunity to take part in hands-on activities.

    What:   STEM-Up Initiative Press Conference and Community Event

    Who:    STEM-Up Initiative will bring Science, Technology, Engineering,
    and Math Career and College Pathways to light in underserved communities
    by creating strategies to integrate STEM in Boyle Heights.

    When:   July 6, 2009 Press Conference 9:30a.m. - 10:30a.m.
            Community Event 9:00a.m.-11:30a.m. (Registration at 8:30a.m.)

    Where:  Hollenbeck Middle School, 2510 E 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90023

    Media Registration: Register by contacting Julio Esperias at
    jesperias@henaac.org or at (323) 262-0997

ABOUT HENAAC

Keeping America technologically strong by promoting Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) careers especially in underserved communities.

SOURCE HENAAC