An update from Chevron Richmond, 12-19-12
Six Richmond area nonprofit organizations have been selected to receive a share of $1 million as a grant from Chevron as part of the company’s California Partnership Program, an initiative that invests in education and economic development in California.
The grants will expand access to high-quality science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational opportunities, with a focus on working directly with the West Contra Costa Unified School District (WCCUSD) to improve the quality of education in local schools. In addition, the grants will help increase and sustain economic development opportunities for families in Richmond and West Contra Costa County because the entities receiving the grants offer comprehensive services that improve self-sufficiency and help small businesses create and sustain jobs.
“Chevron is committed to boosting Richmond’s economic development and improving the quality of life for local residents,” said Heather Kulp, Public Affairs Manager for Chevron’s Richmond Refinery. “We believe that investing in these key areas will create a stronger, healthier Richmond economy, which is not only good for people living in this community but is also good for the long-term success of the local business community.”
The six programs selected to receive grants in 2012 include:
STEM Energy for Learning Grants
West County Bridge to College (WCCUSD), $200,000
Create a summer and academic year support program to better mathematically prepare WCCUSD high school students in mathematics so that they can enter Contra Costa College at the College Algebra level or higher.
Deepening the Real World STEM Connection (Contra Costa Economic Partnership), $200,000
Help improve student achievement by providing work-based learning opportunities, STEM curriculum support and help students transition from high school to post secondary education, training and high-demand careers.
Emerging Leaders Program (New Leaders™), $100,000
Innovative leadership development program to build the leadership capacity of promising WCCUSD teachers; help improve student achievement, including achievement in STEM fields; and build a pipeline of outstanding future leaders to have a broad and lasting impact on STEM education.
Economic Self-Sufficiency Grants
Project Access Mentoring Program (Catholic Charities of the East Bay), $200,000
Helps and support low-income, limited English proficient Richmond and West County residents to secure employment as Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate Teachers and support limited English-speaking residents who are currently working as ECE Associates.
Work Incentives for Residents and Employers (Rubicon Programs), $175,000
Help and support joint efforts with East Bay employers to obtain jobs for low-income West Contra Costa County residents by providing comprehensive job readiness training, job placement assistance, and ongoing career coaching.
Springboard (Community Housing Development Corporation), $125,000
Help and create or expand new small/micro businesses through providing financial education and coaching and matching the savings of low income West Contra Costa County entrepreneurs.
“We are grateful for Chevron’s generosity,” said Phil Gonsalves, Director of Math Curriculum and Instruction for the WCCUSD. “This grant will help to improve student mathematics achievement and better prepare students for success in advanced mathematics courses at Contra Costa College.”
Grant recipients were selected through a competitive process based upon an assessment of their capacity and ability to improve education, expand vocational training and increase job opportunities in Richmond and West Contra Costa County. Each proposal was evaluated through an open request for proposal (RFP) process, and scored by an evaluation committee based upon criteria that included the evaluation of the nonprofits’ technical approach, capacity to implement the project and management plan.
“We share Chevron’s commitment to creating meaningful economic opportunities for those in our community who need them the most,” said Jane Fischberg, Executive Director, Rubicon Programs. “This grant will allow us to provide comprehensive job readiness training, job placement assistance, and ongoing career coaching to 45 clients, and offer subsidies to employers that hire our clients.”
Chevron started the California Partnership in 2009. Since then, it has helped dozens of nonprofit organizations geared toward economic development and STEM education in and around California. Chevron has committed nearly $30 million in giving through the California Partnership since 2009, investing in programs which have benefited more than half a million students and 6,600 teachers, provided some 13,000 new STEM resources for students, helped train over 10,000 people through job training programs, enabled 2,700 people to secure employment, and benefited 2,500 small businesses.
For more information, please call our 24-Hour Community Hotline at 510-242-2000 or email us at rrweb@chevron.com.