The Gumball Foundation offers an ingenious program that enables middle and high school students to run their own small scale vending machine businesses so that they can save their money to attend a four-year college or university and learn how to become entrepreneurs.

In founding the Gumball Foundation, Ezequiel Olvera drew upon his own experience. As an 11-year old boy, he began to persuade shop proprietors to allow him to install second hand gumball vending machines in their stores. By the time Ezequiel was a senior in high school, he had 60 gum and soda vending machines in shops around East Los Angeles and an acceptance letter to UC Santa Cruz. The revenue from his vending machine business helped to fund his way.

Plaza de la Raza's School of Performing and Visual Arts has provided students across Los Angeles County with the opportunity to engage first-hand in the arts from courses in four major disciplines: visual art, dance, music, & theatre. With opportunities for students of all ages, courses ranging from entry level to conservatory level, and free classes for qualifying low income families, Plaza de la Raza has something for everyone!