VCCF Spring 2024 Donor Peer Network Dinner

The VCCF Donor Peer Network came together for food, community, and communication on the issues and solutions present in Ventura County today at their spring dinner on February 8, 2024. This year’s event, themed “The Future of Education,” took place at California State University, Channel Islands thanks to Dr. Richard Yao, President of CSUCI.

Dr. Consuelo Hernandez Williams, Associate Superintendent of the Ventura County Office of Education, spoke on the pitfalls and barriers that foster children face as they grow up and aim for higher education. She also shared the steps that they take through the TEACh scholarships to ease those burdens. Lynda Bowman, the Board Chair of the TEACh Scholarship Committee, also shared her beautiful story of coming out of the foster care system and growing the TEACh scholarship, administered by VCCF, into what it is today.

The donors also received copies of the 2023 State of the Region Report, produced by the Ventura County Civic Alliance. Following this, VCCF President and CEO Vanessa Bechtel closed the meeting with a call to action to support the Ventura County Storm Fund to help those displaced from their homes following the historic flooding of December 2023.

If you’d like to learn more about the Donor Peer Network, please email Calleen Pardinas at [email protected].