Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast has been awarded $1.5 million from the Pacific Life Foundation in support of the Club’s College Bound program to prepare youth in Orange County for success after high school graduation. The grant will give more students access to the year-round program that provides daily academic support, sponsors numerous college pathway activities, assists with resource acquisition, and explores career options.
This investment is part of the Pacific Life Foundation’s five-year partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast and will be used to scale the College Bound program enrollment from 2,500 students to 4,450 students in Newport Mesa Unified School District, Orange Unified School District and Santa Ana Unified School District, ensuring more teens graduate high school on time and with a financially sustainable plan for higher education. As part of the funding, $1 million will go toward growing and sustaining the program and $500,000 to support the College Bound Scholarship Fund which provides scholarships to program students as they move on to post-secondary education. Alumni of College Bound have gone on to attend various universities including Stanford University, John Hopkins University, University of California Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, California State University Fullerton and San Diego State University.
“We are thrilled to be able to expand College Bound’s reach and impact with this grant,” said Robert Santana, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast. “No matter what background, socio-economic status or obstacle, every student we serve deserves a first-class mentoring experience and the empowerment to graduate from high school with a plan for the future – and that is what College Bound has done, and will continue to do for years to come. As the largest non-capital campaign gift in our Club’s history, we are proud to partner with Pacific Life to drive impact in the lives of the kids we serve.”
This partnership with Pacific Life represents the first lead gift towards the Boys & Girls Club’s five year plan to expand services to more students in the cities they serve and overall investment of approximately $7 million into College Bound and teen service.
The program primarily targets at-risk Orange County youth who face high dropout rates and lack equitable access to resources, opportunities and mentors, and nearly 90% of College Bound students identify as Latino and are low-income, first-generation students. Despite Orange County’s high concentration of wealth, the annual, per-pupil education spending is significantly lower than state and national averages. This leaves students from low-income families even further behind their peers who can afford tutoring and extracurricular experiences.
The program benefits not only students, but parents as well. College Bound includes workshops and support for parents, since many of its graduates are the first in their families to pursue education beyond high school. By preparing students and families for the transition of life after graduation, College Bound removes major barriers facing Orange County students who might otherwise see college as unattainable or prohibitively expensive.
As part of the partnership between the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast and Pacific Life Foundation, Pacific Life employees will have the opportunity to volunteer to further support the Club’s and program’s efforts, including reviewing students’ scholarship applications, participating in college and career panels, workforce development, mentor days and other community engagement opportunities.
“The College Bound program addresses a critical need in our community. The Pacific Life Foundation’s investment will help expand the program, providing equitable access to resources for students as they complete high school and move on to college,” said Tennyson Oyler, president of the Pacific Life Foundation. “We’re proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast to help make an impact in these students’ lives, and for Pacific Life employees to have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way through volunteer and mentorship opportunities.”
The Pacific Life Foundation (the Foundation) was established in 1984. Together with Pacific Life, the Foundation has contributed $131 million to community and national nonprofit organizations. Grants are made to organizations that address a broad spectrum of social needs.