By Betty Chen
In a world that often rewards ambition over empathy, this new Scholarship is betting on compassion.
Through its Asian American led MHG Charitable Foundation, the hospitality company, known for its portfolio of boutique and luxury hotels, announced the creation of the MHG Compassion Scholarship in 2025 — a program aimed at high school students who demonstrate kindness, leadership, and a commitment to improving their communities.
The scholarship is open to students in 8th through 12th grade and is intended to do more than cover costs. The program offers mentorship, a supportive team, and a platform to amplify young voices that are already making a difference.
For Ms. Kitty Lo, founder of the MHG Compassion Scholarship, the idea is personal.
The decision to focus on compassion came, in part, from the Lo’s roots in hospitality. She has long embraced the idea that caring for others is not just good service, but a way of life.
The scholarship will seek out students who have taken those values to heart: the teenager who organizes weekend park cleanups, the high school junior who tutors younger kids for free, the student who builds bridges between classmates of different backgrounds.
While the inaugural program will begin with a limited number of recipients, the MHG scholarship hopes to grow in the coming years, potentially creating a network of young leaders connected by shared values.
The company sees the scholarship as a reflection of its broader mission. Just as hotels are built on the principle of welcoming strangers, this program is about recognizing and encouraging the next generation to welcome, include, and care for others in their own communities.
Applications and full eligibility guidelines for the MHG Compassion Scholarship in 2025 gave awards of up to $1,500 to over 100 recipients.
Below is the full interview with Ms. Lo:
- What first inspired you to create the MHG Compassion Scholarship?
I come from a poor family, so I know firsthand how a child’s background can limit their opportunities. I never wanted to see farmers’ children limited to becoming farmers, or drivers’ children destined to remain drivers for life. I believe education should be a bridge—a way to open young people’s eyes to a wider world and help them reach higher starting points.
High school is such a crucial turning point in life. With the right support, young people can walk a bright path; without it, especially for those from low-income or unstable families, they can easily get lost. I wanted to be the one who lights the way at that crossroads. That’s why I started the MHG Compassion Scholarship—to offer not just financial aid, but mentorship, internships, and long-term guidance so students can discover their potential and break free from the limitations of their background.
- In your own words, what does compassion mean to you? How do you hope scholarship recipients will carry compassion forward into their futures?
To me, compassion means seeing beyond someone’s current situation and believing in their potential, even when they cannot see it themselves. It is about walking beside them through challenges, offering both guidance and hope. True compassion is active—it’s not only feeling for others, but doing something to help them rise.
I hope our scholarship recipients will one day extend the same kindness to others. Many of our students have told me, “Someday, I want to help others the way you helped me.” That is the most meaningful outcome—creating a cycle of kindness where today’s recipients become tomorrow’s mentors and benefactors.
- What difference do you hope this program will make in schools and communities in the future?
I hope this program will show young people that their past does not define their future. By pairing financial support with mentorship, we help students not only stay in school but also discover careers that fit their strengths, build confidence, and set ambitious goals.
In the long run, I envision our mentorship network becoming California’s largest and most impactful free youth guidance hub—a place where professionals from all walks of life give their time and wisdom to inspire the next generation. If we can help these students succeed, they will return that gift to their schools and communities, creating a ripple effect of hope and opportunity.
- Can you share a story about compassion from your own life?
When I visited India, the Dalai Lama received me, and I also visited a monastery there. I saw 509 young novices who had been sent to the monastery at a very young age. Because they had no means of making a living, they were placed at the monastery and provided with basic necessities. I discovered that each person only needed about $450 per year to cover their annual living expenses—including education, medical care, food, and other necessities. Seeing these 509 novices, I decided to personally support them with $20,000 per month to ensure they had enough to live on, allowing them to focus on studying the Buddhist scriptures without worrying about survival.
- If you could give one message to every student considering applying, what would it be?
Your past does not define your future. No matter where you come from, the road ahead is filled with light—and we will walk it with you. Be authentic in telling your story; your voice is powerful. Don’t be afraid to dream beyond what you think is possible, because there are people who believe in you and want to see you succeed.
