Message from OneFuture
Last Thursday, March 22nd, OneFuture Coachella Valley celebrated its inaugural “The Future is Ours” awards at the beautiful Indian Wells Country Club. Attendees began the evening at 5:30 PM with a champagne reception and small bites on the outdoor patio overlooking the beautiful mountains and golf course. The welcome reception was followed by the inaugural “The Future is Ours” awards.
OneFuture Coachella Valley had over 165 generous individuals at this inaugural event who care deeply about the lives and future of the youth of Coachella Valley. Attendees heard personal, inspiring stories of OFCV scholars and enjoyed updates on OFCV’s accomplishments over the past year. The evening was a great success – from food tasting stations to the talented children’s mariachi!
OFCV proudly announced its honorees for “The Future is Ours” awards. These prestigious awards celebrated the collective work and dedication to regional alignment and its critical impact to the future for our youth and our community as a whole.
Nominations for THE FUTURE IS OURS AWARDS were solicited from our entire community including our colleagues in education, business partners, local nonprofit organizations, community leaders and the general public. This year’s award winners included:
· The Terry & Jacke Green Visionary Award: Tom Davis, Chief Planning and Development Officer, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, OFCV Board of Directors (Treasurer), Co-chair, Regional Plan Oversight Committee
· Engaging Partner Award: Bob Kambe, Director of Business Development & Client Services for AVID Physical Therapy. Chair of the Business & Civic Engagement team and co-chair for the Gents Alliance- supporting young men and their college pathways.
· Inspiring Leader Award: Dr. Michael Swize, Assistant Superintendent, Palm Springs Unified School District Chair, K-12 Team for Regional Plan for College & Career Success,
· Empowering Student Award: Julia Bartsch, Counselor, Cathedral City High School,
· Winners of 2017 FAFSA competition
· The Future is Ours Award: Sara Kamoei, BBS Brokers Realty, Member of planning committee for #ALLINOFCV Fundraiser
“Our region truly had something to celebrate! Education clears the path for our youth to succeed in the workplace and unlocks the potential to contribute their gifts to the future success of our valley. This event celebrated the coordinated efforts of leading partners from education, business, community along with student leaders who are “all in” as we transform prospects for every Coachella Valley student to succeed in college, career and life!” – Sheila Thorton, CEO OneFuture Coachella Valley.
Proceeds from this important event benefited the programs and services offered through OneFuture and “The Battle of the High Schools”- FAFSA application campaign. This annual campaign raises awareness about the importance of completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most colleges and universities use the FAFSA to determine a students’ eligibility for financial aid programs. To encourage students to enroll OneFuture CV provides prizes to local high schools based on the number of students who complete the FASA application.
Regionally, an average of 68% of students that complete the FAFSA or state financial aid applications will enroll in college, compared to 18% of students that do not complete college financial aid applications. “The completion of the FAFSA application is critical in advancing college access and completion among our local students”, states Ernie Rios, Vice President of College Success at OneFuture Coachella Valley. “Students are often unaware that they can attend college tuition free, but it all begins with the completion of the FAFSA.”
OneFuture Coachella Valley is grateful for the support of so many who care about the Valley’s future and the youth who are our future. We hope that the community will join us again in March 2019 for this inspiring event!
Generous event sponsors include: Cal State San Bernardino- Palm Desert Campus, UCR, Regional Access Project Foundation, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Coachella Valley Unified School District, Desert Sands Unified School District, Palm Springs Unified School District, and Riverside County Office of Education.
If you were unable to attend but would like to make a donation to OneFuture Coachella Valley, you still can! Visit the OneFutureCV.org website and make your secure donation online or call Judi Olivas, 760-625-0422.
