WCC Foundation’s Emergency Aid Program Gerstner Philanthropies increased its grant to $150,000 this year in recognition of the importance of the Emergency Aid Program that it funds. This grant allows SUNY WCC to alleviate some of the intense pressure students experience when faced with one-time financial emergencies such as inability to pay rent, utility bills and medical bills, car repairs, and childcare expenses that could force a student to abandon their studies. Because of the program’s success, we have been asked to share our program model with new Gerstner grant awardees as Gerstner expands the program to other community college campuses. Financial Literacy JPMorganChase Foundation continued its financial support, directed through the National Council for Workforce Education, of our Money Smart Financial Coaching Program which is available to every SUNY WCC student. The Forum teaches one more equalizing life skill that empowers students to build money management competencies and make healthy financial decisions as they prepare for careers that lead to opportunities to earn, save and invest. The careers for which we are preparing our students are meant to inspire them to aspire to a future that includes home ownership if they choose, and the establishment of good credit that allows them to purchase necessary items and avoid being thrown into financial chaos. Learning to manage one’s money, no matter how little or how much, is an important life skill. JPMorganChase has invested over $1.6 million to develop the program, which is now a model being replicated at other community colleges nationally by the National Council for Workforce Education. CCAMPIS (Childcare Access Means Parents in School) federal funding for $462,000 in the second year of a four-year grant, benefits student-parents who are in financial need, by subsidizing 90% of the fee to send their pre-school child to the Virginia Marx Children’s Center (VMCC). This aid, supplemented by a first-time grant of $20,000 from St. Faith’s House that pays the remaining 10% of tuition, removes a significant barrier for student-parents pursuing their education while raising children. A SUNY Childcare Expansion Grant for $220K allowed VMCC to open an eighth classroom, while CCAMPIS funds the salaries of the new classroom’s primary teacher and assistant teacher. A NYS Office of Children & Family Services Childcare Workforce Retention Grant of $112,130 provides stipends to retain employees of the VMCC. PARTNERS WITH VISIONINSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT Virginia Marx Children’s Center on SUNY WCC’S Valhalla Campus Children playing at the Virginia Marx Children’s Center 26
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