San Bernardino Valley College Foundation supports the students and the programs at San Bernardino Valley College by providing financial assistance that helps provide equipment, supplies, scholarships, and emergency funds to students in need.
SBVC has over 19,000 students enrolled in a normal year, officials say, more than two-thirds of those enrolled are from low-income households and 80% of students are minorities. The Foundation works to assist these students so they can continue their pursuit of higher education.
“We’re providing support to every student who comes through the doors regardless of circumstances, so they have the opportunity to pursue a degree, certificate or transfer to another four-year college,” the organization’s interim director Mike Layne said. “We help them overcome any personal or financial hardship impeding their success.”
The Foundation’s Valley-Bound Commitment Program, a program created to eliminate economic barriers, helps students pursue and complete degrees two years. Supported by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, the program aims to increase college completion rates in the region. Students in the program take least 12 units and in return receive tuition, textbooks, individual counselling and services that give them tools to graduate and become a skilled employee.
“On average, your community college student is taking six years to complete a two-year degree,” Layne said. “This is important for our region where we have suffered from disproportionate rates of poverty and unemployment for many years.”
The program also supports the hiring of additional counselors to help students with academic planning and purchasing technology for those who demonstrate the need. Since 2008, over 1,700 students have been served through this program.
This academic year, SBVC Foundation has awarded $360,000 in scholarships, officials say. It has also provided $260,000 in emergency financial assistance. When COVID-19 restrictions were put in place and the college transitioned to distance learning, the Foundation was able to help students by purchasing Wi-Fi hotspots with 12-month data plans and provide laptops and Chromebooks.
Recently the San Bernardino Valley College Foundation received a grant from the IE COVID-19 Resilience Fund through the Inland Empire Community Foundation to support emergency aid for students in need.
This year has challenging for students, Layne said. Many students are the first in their families to pursue higher education and are closely connected to their families.
In households where breadwinners lost their jobs or suffered from the coronavirus, students were in the position of choosing between education and assisting at home.
“There are always substantial needs whether it’s financial or personal needs,” Layne said. “It’s not just the financial assistance but, offering services like counseling and helping the programs on campus expand.”
SBVC hopes to return to in-person classes in August. The Foundation had to cancel most fundraisers and delayed its 95th Anniversary Gala. The Foundation now plans to hold the celebration and fundraiser on Jan. 22, 2022.
SBVC Foundation welcomes donations and encourages those who wish to support students to consider planning an estate gift. The organization also invites individuals to volunteer.
“When you donate to the Foundation it is not helping someone once, you are helping students on an ongoing basis,” Layne said. “It’s a lasting impact.”
Information: https://www.sbvcfoundation.org/ or 909-384-4471
Inland Empire Community Foundation works to strengthen Inland Southern California through philanthropy.
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