The Adopt-A-Vet program recently awarded a $3,000 scholarship for Santa Clarita veteran Trevor Jones to attend LIMS, a film school in Castaic, through the Santa Clarita Coalition.

The scholarship was funded with support from local businesses Academy Swim Club and Whitening Lightning, who are supporters of the Adopt-A-Vet program and veterans.

The Lifton Institute of Media Arts and Sciences (LIMS) offers a free job training program for veterans, which provides a curriculum to learn every production line job in the industry, from makeup and set design to post production.

However, the funding from the Santa Clarita Coalition’s Adopt-A-Vet provides invaluable help in getting Santa Clarita veterans through the film industry training programs at LIMS, said founder Jimmy Lifton.

“LIMS is honored to be partnered with the Santa Clarita Coalition to provide service to our veterans and other challenged groups,” Lifton said. “Trevor is performing incredibly, growing with each day and gaining all of the skills that he will need to have a successful and rewarding career in the movie and television production industry. We are extremely proud of Trevor and look forward to helping many other individuals through the ‘Adopt-A-Vet’ … programs.”

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While the tuition is free for veterans, the scholarship provides veterans the help they need with room and board while they’re in the program. The “classroom,” i.e. film sets and hands on experience, are too demanding schedule-wise for a veteran to be able to work another job while they’re in the program.

Jones was awarded the scholarship this week, during a tour of LIMS film school with the key sponsors of the scholarship.

“Jim and I are so impressed with the insight and organization of the veterans training program, and are delighted to be a sponsor,” said Nikki Miller, co-owner of the Academy Swim Club. “It truly is a win-win for the veteran, the community, the motion picture business and LIMS.”

Related story: LIMS, Joe Mantegna Team Up To Support Free Veterans Training Program

Jen Gerard, owner of Whitening Lightning and co-sponsor of the scholarship, also commended how well the community partnerships come together at LIMS to support veterans.

“We are proud to support such an incredible program,” Gerard said. “It’s the perfect combination, supporting our vets right here in our hometown of Santa Clarita.”

Jones, the recipient, has developed a passion for the industry, and he’s already excited about exploring his newfound career options, he said.

“LIMS has given me the opportunity to advance my career in the motion picture industry,” Jones said. “They have given me a spark in an industry I did not think twice about. I enjoy coming to class every day and working alongside fellow veterans from all branches of military, including my instructor.”

The Santa Clarita Coalition, a community-based organization of businesses like the ones supporting the scholarship, plan to continue the partnership with LIMS, and is seeking support from the community for future scholarships, said Adele MacPherson of the Santa Clarita Coalition.

“What an amazing trip to see the work that Jimmy and his staff are doing with the veterans in their program, the passion they all (are) having for discovering the veterans’ hidden talents and skills,” MacPherson said. “From there, they develop the skills to a level that the veterans are successfully employed and a valued member of the industry.”

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