The Yakima Valley College Foundation has received a $35,000 grant from the Yakima Valley Community Foundation in partnership with the Washington State Department of Health. The award will help the Foundation provide scholarships, up to $5,000, to students enrolled in YVC programs designed to increase public health careers.
"We are thrilled to receive this generous grant,” said Stacey Kautz, executive director of YVC Foundation. “This funding will enable us to help the college train the next generation of healthcare professionals for the Yakima Valley and beyond."
YVC’s healthcare pathway offers hands-on training in direct patient care programs, including nursing, dental hygiene and veterinary technology as well as training for high-demand, well-paying roles such as medical assistants, billers and coders, pharmacy technicians, phlebotomists, surgical technicians and more.
“On behalf of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and staff — congratulations and thank you for the opportunity to come alongside you to support your leadership, advocacy and transformative work,” said Enriqueta Garcia-Sanchez, YVCF program officer.
“This award helps us expand the public health workforce that can respond to the cultural and linguistic needs of communities disproportionately impacted by social determinants of health and health inequities amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Garcia-Sanchez.
Grants like this help the YVC Foundation make a lasting difference in the Yakima Valley community, Kautz said. Individuals who want to support student education in the Yakima Valley can donate online thorough the college’s secure online payment system.