11/19/2015 - St. Helena, CA - The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) has announced $2 million in donations to ten nonprofits that help local youth succeed in school, along with $1 million in additional funding to the multi-year Napa Valley Early Learning Initiative which aims to close the educational achievement gap in Napa County.
The nonprofit organizations receiving $2 million in grants and serving nearly 20,000 Napa County clients under the age of 18 are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay, Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga, Child Start, Community Resources for Children, Napa Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), NapaLearns, On The Move and Summer Search. New this year is funding for Aim High, a Bay Area organization that offers middle school students a multi-year summer program experience that blends challenging academics with enrichment opportunities, leadership development and environmental education. Aim High is launching its first summer campus in Napa in June 2016.
The Napa Valley Early Learning Initiative (NVELI) is a multi-year, multi-faceted program working to reduce the achievement gap between English-fluent and English language-learning students. NVV established the initiative in partnership with First 5 Napa County in 2013 and has committed up to $5 million over five years to support it. During the 2014/2015 school year, NVELI helped more than 1,500 students, parents and educators.
"We are grateful to the Napa Valley Vintners for providing funding to organizations and programs that not only promote academic achievement, but also teach students to make a difference in their lives and communities," said Patrick Sweeney, superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District. "These academic and leadership opportunities inspire students to transform their world."
The NVV's investment in children's education touches the lives of local children from infancy through high school and beyond, helping them to succeed in school and throughout life. Programs funded include early childhood education; technology- and project-based learning programs; family support endeavors; mentorship and leadership initiatives; mental health services; summer enrichment experiences; and college preparedness programs.
To read Stories of Impact and meet people helped by Auction Napa Valley proceeds in the area of children’s education, visit auctionnapavalley.org/giving.
About Auction Napa Valley
Auction Napa Valley is the NVV's annual community fundraiser that for nearly 35 years has utilized the worldwide reputation of Napa Valley wines and the scenic beauty of the region to raise funds to enhance the health and wellbeing of the Napa Valley community. To date, the NVV has invested more than $150 million from Auction Napa Valley proceeds in Napa County nonprofit organizations. Learn more at auctionnapavalley.org
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its more than 525 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com.
About the Recipient Organizations
Aim High- In the summer of 2016, Aim High plans to serve 80 low-income, first-generation students during its inaugural year in Napa County. Aim High provides under-resourced middle school students with a free, multi-year summer learning program aimed at preventing summer learning loss and preparing students for the upcoming school year.
Big Brothers Big Sisters - Provides professionally supported mentors to children in need. Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program is recognized nationally for the prevention of community violence, substance abuse and juvenile delinquency.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley - Provides programs and opportunities built on educating young people on the benefits of making smart decisions, living healthy lifestyles and striving toward academic success.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga - Provides all young people with a safe, positive and unique place to develop their natural talents and inspire them to achieve their full potential.
Child Start Inc. - Supports the educational, social and emotional development of children from birth to 5 years of age by providing high quality, comprehensive and family-focused early childhood services in the community. Child Start runs the local Head Start and Raising a Reader programs.
Community Resources for Children - Provides resources for early care and education of children in Napa County.
Napa CASA, A Voice for Children - Protects children who have become dependents of the Court due to abuse, neglect or molestation by their parents or caretakers, to ensure that each child’s needs are met. CASA ensures the health and wellness of each child from birth to the age of 18 by monitoring their placement, as well as their educational, mental and physical health needs.
NapaLearns - Encourages the success of all students by providing resources, funding and support to help district staff adopt new teaching methods focused on the demands of the future, including early childhood reading, math literacy, technology- and project-based programs.
On the Move - Develops young leaders by building exceptional programs that address inequities in Napa County communities. For the past nine years, OTM has piloted an array of youth-led projects, exploring approaches to close the educational achievement gap and promote health and wellness across Napa County.
Summer Search North Bay – Our mission is to identify resilient, low-income high school students and inspire them to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising and a lasting support network.
Contact: Cate Conniff Communications Manager 707.968.4229 cconniff@napavintners.com
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