12/12/2017 - St. Helena, CA – The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association today announced $2.8 million in grant funding for children’s education in Napa County. Together with November’s announcement of $6.2 million in funding for community health, NVV investments in Napa County nonprofits now totals $180 million since 1981.
Helping children enter kindergarten ready to learn, supporting students in achieving academic goals and assisting young people in developing healthy behaviors are just a few of the ways in which this round of NVV funding will help Napa County youth thrive in school.
The nonprofit organizations receiving this funding serve nearly 25,000 Napa youth from infancy to high school and beyond. Nearly 8,000 educators and parents affiliated with the organizations will also benefit. The agencies receiving the funding are:
These organizations provide services and programs to help build a solid foundation for academic and life success. This includes in-classroom and out-of-classroom academic enrichment, mentoring, access to technology and parental/family educational support.
As part of this round of funding, NVV is also investing nearly $700,000 in the Napa Valley Early Learning Initiative (NVELI), a pilot program designed to help children enter kindergarten ready to learn.
Among the many success stories from NVV investments in children’s education is that of the NVELI. It was created by NVV in partnership with First 5 Napa County for English language-learning pre-school children and their families with the goal of having these children ready to enter kindergarten at the same level as their English-fluent peers.
After four years and nearly $5 million in funding from the NVV, the results of the NVELI pilot program are in: English language learners who participated were three times more ready to enter kindergarten than their English language learning peers who did not participate in the NVELI.
“The Napa Valley Early Learning Initiative provides a solid roadmap for helping ensure that all children in Napa County enter kindergarten eager to engage, curious and confident in their ability to learn,” noted Camille Maben, executive director of First 5 California. “This level of academic and social parity at the very beginning of school raises the quality of education and increases the opportunities for success throughout children’s lives.”
Read more about the nonprofit organizations that received recent funding for children’s education, along with youth success stories. The NVV raises the funds for its community investments at its annual charity event, Auction Napa Valley.
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 Auction Napa Valley
Auction Napa Valley is the NVV's annual community fundraiser that for more than 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 $180 million from Auction Napa Valley proceeds in Napa County nonprofit organizations. Learn more at auctionnapavalley.org
Aim High ($80,000)
Keeping students engaged in enrichment programs over the summer can ease the transition to adolescence and make the difference in school success.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay ($60,000)
Creating strong, successful matches between Bigs and Littles changes lives for the better, forever.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley ($325,000)
Offer young people what they need and want most: adults who respect and listen to them, a safe environment where they can be themselves and have fun while participating in interesting and constructive activities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga ($200,000)
Help children reach their full potential through programs that promote academic success, good character, citizenship and healthy lifestyles.
Child Start, Inc. ($200,000)
By providing high quality, comprehensive and family-focused early childhood services, Child Start supports the educational, social and emotional development of children.
Community Resources for Children ($200,000)
Provides programming and support to promote quality early learning environments and experiences for children at home, in childcare, in preschool and throughout the community.
Napa CASA ($60,000)
CASA volunteers are often the only consistent person in the child's life throughout the entire time the child is in foster care, providing advocacy, support and mentorship.
NapaLearns ($500,000)
Encourages the success of every student by providing resources, funding and thought leadership to help school district staff adopt innovations focused on the demands of the future.
On the Move ($350,000)
Co-creates culturally relevant programs with children, youth and adults that meaningfully contribute to the issues that meet their most pressing needs, including VOICES, Youth Leadership Academies, Parent University and LGBTQ Connection.
Summer Search ($150,000)
Through a combination of mentoring, experiential opportunities, college advising, and support, Summer Search students strengthen the skills they need to thrive in school and in life.
Napa Valley Early Learning Initiative Pilot Program ($669,000)
A multi-faceted and interdisciplinary pilot program designed to ensure every child enters kindergarten ready to learn.
About the Napa Valley Vintners - The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its more than 530 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 Auction Napa Valley - Since 1981, Auction Napa Valley, the Napa Valley Vintners’ (NVV) annual community fundraiser, has utilized the worldwide reputation of Napa Valley wines and the scenic beauty of the region to enhance the health and wellbeing of the Napa County community. To date, the NVV has invested $170 million from Auction Napa Valley proceeds in local nonprofit organizations. auctionnapavalley.org.
Contact: Cate Conniff, Communications Manager - 707.968.4229, cconniff@napavintners.com
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