West Contra Costa Public Education Fund

September’s Scholar Spotlight highlights the inspiring journey of our Ed Fund Scholar, Samuel Aristondo, who exemplifies the impact of education and community support. Samuel graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 2014, where he received the Ed Fund's Whittier Foundation Scholarship. He attended Contra Costa College, graduating in 2017 with A.A. degrees in Liberal Arts Social and Behavioral Sciences (with Honors) and Liberal Arts and Humanities (with Honors). He then went on to the University of California, Berkeley, where he graduated in 2019 with a B.A. in Social Welfare. Currently, as the Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement at Tech Exchange in Oakland, Samuel is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that under-connected communities have access to essential technology and training. Samuel's commitment to sustainability and digital equity serves as a powerful reminder that when we invest in our communities, we create pathways for success and uplift those around us. My "why" stems from a deep passion for sustainability and digital equity. I always loved helping my community and loved tech, so when I came to Tech Exchange it felt like the right place to be. I believe that repurposing technology not only reduces e-waste, but also empowers marginalized communities with the tools they need for success in a digital world, while protecting Mother Earth. Samuel’s success story illustrates how scholarships can open doors to higher education and provide opportunities that empower students to give back to their communities. By investing in the Ed Fund, you’re not just supporting individual students; you’re helping cultivate a network of leaders committed to making a difference.

We're #hiring a new Mental/Behavioral Wellness Clinician in Richmond, California. Apply today or share this post with your network!

The Ed Fund is seeking to hire a Climate Coach and (3) Mental Health Clinicians to support West Contra Costa Unified School District's Full Service Community School and Positive School Climate Initiatives. These positions will be employed through the Ed Fund but will report directly to the Director of School Climate for WCCUSD. The Climate Coach will support sites in implementing the Positive Behavior Intervention Systems (PBIS) framework, with a focus on coaching and training in restorative and healing-centered practices. The Coach will use data to assist schools in sustaining positive climate practices aligned with Community Schools expansion and in enhancing students' positive behavior while reducing discipline disproportionality. The Mental/Behavioral Wellness Clinician will be responsible for providing trauma-informed and healing-centered counseling services to students, supporting their mental health, and building systems to enhance overall well-being at assigned schools. This role involves carrying a caseload, conducting monthly training and support for small working groups, fostering connections with community-based organizations, and providing crisis support. To apply, please visit https://lnkd.in/e4DeiP7X or send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to LaShante Smith, Director of School Climate, at [email protected], and Robert Bunce, Executive Director, at [email protected].

Community collaboration is one key way Richmond Promise works to provide college access to Richmond students, and we're excited to partner with our friends at West Contra Costa Public Education Fund and West Contra Costa Unified School District in working to close the financial aid completion gap this summer. Read more: https://lnkd.in/geFe-tWU

Congratulations to our Camp Achieve students who won metals at the University of California, Berkeley sponsored MESA Stick Together Bridge Building competition. Out of the 5 categories, CR kids placed first in 4 categories and placed second in the fifth. Thanks to the West Contra Costa Public Education Fund for all your support! #kidsfirst, #DigitalOneRoomSchoolhouse, #dorsjourney

The Ed Fund, in collaboration with WCCUSD and the Richmond Promise, is thrilled to have been awarded a $72,000 grant by the Education Credit Management Corporation Foundation (ECMC) to help graduating seniors throughout West Contra Costa complete their financial aid applications between now and Sept 1st. Staff from each organization are offering additional support for West Contra Costa students by providing office hours via Zoom and in person (see flyer for more info). The working group will also host a Financial Aid Completion event in partnership with Contra Costa College on August 6th from 5:30-7:30 pm, where students and families can complete their financial aid documents in a group format. Families and students interested in taking advantage of these services can reach out to Maddie Orenstein at [email protected] with any questions.

Thanks to all the volunteers, partners, parents, students, schools, and districts who made this school year one to remember. Special Thanks to California Department of Education, Los Angeles County Office of Education, Bristol Myers Squibb, Howard University, SchoolSeed Foundation, Hellman Foundation, Chevron, New Profit, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Illumina, NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, EdTrust-West, EBMUD, West Contra Costa Public Education Fund, Oakland Public Education Fund, Greentrike and Sabrina Mutukisna

The Ed Fund is seeking to hire a Climate Coach to support the West Contra Costa Unified School District's (WCCUSD) Full Service Community School and Positive School Climate Initiatives. This position will be employed through the Ed Fund, but will report directly to the Director of School Climate for WCCUSD. To apply for this position or for additional information on the opportunity, please send a copy of your resume with a cover letter to LaShante Smith, Director of School Climate, at [email protected], and Robert Bunce, Executive Director, at [email protected] OR scan the QR code on the flyer to be taken directly to our website! https://lnkd.in/gFYUVGkg

🎓 Meet our 2023-2024 scholarship recipients! We proudly welcome 15 students from 8 of 9 WCCUSD high schools to this year's cohort. 🎓 We are immensely grateful for the support we receive from our community, which empowers us to continue our vital work in West Contra Costa schools, providing students with the opportunity to pursue their academic aspirations and build brighter futures. Thanks to the support of the Contra Costa Chorale, Schroeder Family Foundation, Freggarrio Family, and individual donors just like you, we're able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our students! Join us in welcoming our Class of 2024 scholars! 👏👩🎓👨🎓 (First slide, top left clockwise) Angelina Zhang, Marely Cano, Rena Shrestha, Jordan Goodwin, Laura Khuu, Jasmine Thomas, Yenifer Cruz, Daniel Harper. (Second slide, top left clockwise) Sheesam Gurung, Alexandra Putthongvilai, Samantha Estrada, Jason Dai, Zidane Le, Ana Curtis, Jayvon Bolds.

The Witkin Foundation's mission is to support effective non-profit organizations that assist children in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, favoring programs designed to develop children into stronger adults, including those that provide literacy, music, art, and dance programs in East Bay public elementary and middle schools, as well as initiatives promoting peace, non-violence, and access to legal services. Continued support from our partners at the Witkin Foundation provides us with the flexibility to allocate resources to programs and initiatives where they are most needed. This ongoing support not only ensures the sustainability of our efforts, but also allows us to adapt and respond to evolving needs within the community. 🌟