8/6/2019 - St. Helena, CA—The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association today announced $2.4 million in grant funding for children’s education in Napa County. The funds are made possible by proceeds from the NVV’s annual community fundraiser Auction Napa Valley.
Thirteen nonprofit organizations will serve approximately 44,000 children and family members with this funding. Four new organizations, including the American Canyon Community & Parks Foundation and Hearts & Hands Preschool—the only full-day preschool in Calistoga—received grants in this cycle.
As part of the grant review process, the NVV and its nonprofit partners seek input from community members as to pressing needs in the lives of children in the County. Among the top concerns was accessible mental health services as part of the educational landscape.
One of the new grantees this year is the Napa Valley Education Foundation (NVEF), which is helping local public schools address mental and emotional health needs within Wellness Programs in four middle schools and one high school, with additional school sites in the planning phase. A coordinated team of counselors, nurses and social workers provide mental health support on the school campus, making it possible to support students before they seriously disrupt the learning process for themselves or others.
“Studies show that when children come into the classroom with reduced stress, they learn better and have better social skills, including less tendencies toward bullying,” said Jennifer Stewart, executive director of the NVEF. “Both teachers and children are better able to do what they came to the classroom to do, namely, teach and learn.”
From a two-year-old in quality pre-school to guiding a teenager to be the first in their family to attend college, the points of impact made possible via this funding have far-reaching implications for the success of the child, their families and the Napa County community at large.
“These grants provide much needed support to our nonprofit partners, all of whom do an amazing job helping the youth in our community achieve educational success,” said John Hamilton, a community member of the NVV’s Board of Directors. “We know that through education our children become not only more competitive for more rewarding and higher positions, but also have less health issues and become more active in the life of the community.”
Learn more about the “Stories of Impact” made possible by the NVV’s investments in the community at auctionnapavalley.org.
About the Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade associate has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, to provide environmental leadership and to care for the extraordinary place they call home. In 2019 the NVV is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Learn more at napavintners.com
10,000 Degrees ($90,000)
The mission of 10,000 Degrees is to achieve educational equity and support students from low-income backgrounds to get to and through college in order to positively impact their communities and the world.
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.
American Canyon Community and Parks Foundation ACCPF) ($50,000)
ACCPF provides in classroom and out of classroom activities that result in deeper understanding of science, technology, engineering, arts and math via well rounded educational opportunities.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Napa Valley $350,000
Offers 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 ($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.
Hearts and Hands Preschool ($67,000)
We envision all children entering kindergarten on a level playing field with no language/achievement gap between dual language learners and their peers.
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.
Napa Valley Education Foundation ($120,000)
The mission of the Napa Valley Education Foundation is to support teachers, students and public schools to ensure all students are engaged and prepared for success in college, career and life.
NapaLearns ($400,000)
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 ($400,000)
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.
Contact: Korinne Munson, Director of Communications - 707.968.4207, kmunson@napavintners.com
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