3/20/2014 - St. Helena, CA--The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) today announced its fifth wave of Auction Napa Valley giving with community investments to inspire Napa County youth to succeed in school as part of its strategic plan to provide funding for local not-for-profits offering services and programs geared toward prevention and early intervention.
The organizations receiving more than $1,775,000 in grants and currently serving nearly 25,000 Napa County residents include: 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.
The organizations address a spectrum of needs while providing a firm foundation for children and teenagers to succeed in school. If not addressed, these issues could create the potential for not only academic underachievement, but destructive behavior on the part of the child that can have negative implications for the Napa County community as a whole.
Some of the services these community nonprofits provide include mentors to children who might not otherwise find a role model; safe havens for youth; whole family programs to support parents in providing nurturing home environments; early childhood education; technology and project-based learning programs; efforts that address inequities in the community; and long-term initiatives that inspire low-income high school students to become responsible and altruistic leaders. All are services and programs that can intercede at the most impactful points in a child’s life.
One such program is Summer Search, which aims to inspire low-income high school students to become effective leaders. "The Napa Valley Vintners' deep investment in Summer Search allows us to help low-income Napa County high school students who are short on opportunity, but have the potential to succeed in school and life," said Kait Schroeder, Summer Search North Bay’s executive director. "I’ve been with Summer Search for more than eight years and I continue to be amazed by what our students achieve – not only do they become college graduates, they become leaders and role models within their schools, their families and our community. I am so proud to work with these inspiring young people and I am deeply grateful to the Napa Valley Vintners for their tremendous support."
Realizing academic success requires an intricate balance between social and economic factors, many of which are addressed in this category of Auction Napa Valley funding. Research commissioned by the NVV underscores the importance of early, holistic intervention when providing resources for children to confidently engage in the academic process.
"Research tells us that when a child, whether a two-year-old or a teenager, feels safe, nurtured, inspired and given the tools for learning and making good life decisions, that child's chance of reaching their academic potential increases dramatically," notes Linda Reiff, president and CEO of the NVV. "We are grateful for the funds raised at Auction Napa Valley which allow us to touch so many of Napa County's youth in such a positive way at pivotal moments in their lives."
Auction Napa Valley is the NVV's annual community fundraiser that for more than 30 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 $120 million from Auction Napa Valley proceeds in Napa County nonprofit organizations.
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence for 70 years by inspiring its 500 members to produce consistent quality wines, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. Learn more at napavintners.com.
To read about a Summer Search youth success story
About the Recipient Organizations: Inspiring Our Youth to Succeed in School
Big Brothers Big Sisters - $50,000
Serves 70 children and 70 mentors over 18 in Napa County.
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 - $300,000
Serves 4,700 Napa County youth at 11 locations in Napa and American Canyon.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley provide 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 - $200,000
Serves 2,005 children in St. Helena and Calistoga.
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. - $120,000
Serves 1,026 children in Napa County.
Child Start 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 - $75,000
Serves 4,400 Napa County residents; 2,710 are children.
Provides resources for early care and education of children in Napa County.
According to the 2011 California Child Care Portfolio analysis of Napa County, there are licensed early care and education program slots for only 22% of children up to 12 years of age with parents in the work force.
Napa CASA, A Voice for Children - $55,000
Serves 150 children throughout Napa County.
CASA 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 - $600,000
Serves 8,000 Napa County pre-k through high school students, 150 pre-k parents and 350 teachers in Napa County’s public schools.
In partnership with Napa County public schools, 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.
In the 2013-2014 school year, NapaLearns anticipates bringing essential learning technology and project-based learning to 13 schools in Napa County.
On the Move - $275,000
Serves 3,100 Napa County residents.
On the Move (OTM) develops young leaders by building exceptional programs that address inequities in Napa County communities.
For the past eight 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 - $100,000
Serves 63 students under 18 and 25 young adults over 18 in Napa County.
Summer Search’s 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.
To read about a Summer Search youth success story
Contact: Cate Conniff, Communications Manager 707.968.4229 cconniff@napavintners.com
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