The achievement gap between young adults with a high school diploma versus those with a college education has long-term implications. Experts say those without a college degree are three times as likely to live in poverty. People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) has a long history of building permanent, supportive housing with site-based services that help residents end intergenerational cycles of poverty. One of those programs and this month’s featured grantee is PSHH’s College Club.

College Club builds on the success of PSHH’s Camino Scholars program, which provides more than 500 students and their families with year-round academic assistance each year. Utilizing tutoring, early exposure to career planning, and personalized support services, College Club doesn’t just prepare students to be accepted to institutions of higher education, it allows them to build the relationships and connections necessary to complete those programs.

College Club student Lupita credited the program with helping her build relationships, enabling her “...to make friends who encourage me to accomplish my goals. Without it, I would have been lost on the journey of how to get to college.” The intensive tutoring and mentoring College Club provides have helped past participants pursue careers in nursing, engineering, education, criminal justice, social work, and microbiology.

College Club’s programs are tailored to fit the needs of its participants. PSHH Director of Education Joanna Dominguez says, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to overcoming the challenges for low-income, largely minority families. The $40,000 Women’s Fund grant awarded in May helped a portion of the 99 students who were supported in their quest to attend and complete college in 2022.

Want to learn more?

Make plans to attend a Grants In Action site visit on January 12, from 12 noon to 1:30 pm. This informative program will be presented by Joanna Dominguez, College Club Coordinator Ian Cummings, and local students. Topics include:

• What is People’s Self-Help Housing?
• The impact of Camino Scholars
• Community Collaborations: Loyal Teach
• Student testimonials: the life-changing impact of College Club
• Ways to get involved
• Q&A

Time: 12:00-1:30 pm
Where: Jardin de las Rosas
510 N. Salsipuedes
Santa Barbara, 93103

REGISTER NOW! Attendance is limited to 75 people, so act now.

On December 7, Women’s Fund members and guests gathered at the Marjorie Luke Theatre for a Grants In Action forum to hear from leaders of three local nonprofit organizations that, combined, received $250,000 in 2022 Women’s Fund grants for projects that provide wrap-around services in rebuilding lives and securing housing for those experiencing homelessness.

The featured grantees were: SB ACT (Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation) which coordinates Neighborhood Navigation Centers; DignityMoves which provides interim supportive housing; and Channel Islands YMCA’s program of street outreach for homeless and runaway youth. Learn more and watch the videos here!

We’re happy to announce the election of our all-volunteer board of directors for 2023. Elected to officer roles are:

• Board Chair Jamie Dufek
• Treasurer Kathy Dunlap
• Corporate Secretary Sabina White

New to the board are Yonie Harris, Carolyn Jabs, and Margie Larkin. Continuing members of the board are Jacki Belt, Mary Brown, Sarah de Tagyos, Nancy Harter, Denise Hinkle, Kathy Hollis, Marita Hawryluk, Lynn Karlson, Mary Luthy, Michele Saltoun, Lauren Trujillo, and Laurie Tumbler.

The Women’s Fund enables women to combine their charitable dollars into significant grants, donating more than $9.56 million to local nonprofits since 2004. The grants address the critical needs of women, children, and families in south Santa Barbara County.

We’re committed to building a large community of educated, strategic givers who are inspired to make lasting change through the impact of collective giving. The board focuses on setting policy and assuring the financial stability of the organization. An all-volunteer Operations Management Team serves as unpaid staff, heading all-volunteer committees that ensure the growing organization operates effectively and efficiently. Generous sponsors and enthusiastic volunteers help offset expenses to maximize grants.

Grants range from $50,000 to $150,000+ each year. More than $900,000 was granted to 11 nonprofits in 2022. Following an extensive research process, Women’s Fund members receive a ballot in the spring to vote on projects to fund.  The Women’s Fund welcomes all women to join in its philanthropic efforts. While the voting membership is limited to women, donations from community members or businesses are welcome.