157: Help Us Give the Gift of Higher Education

<p>Vineyard Team’s Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship provides multi-year, higher education investments in the children of vineyard and winery workers on California’s Central Coast based on academic excellence, financial need, and community involvement. The majority of awardees are first-generation college students. This funding supports students and their families in achieving their dreams of successful graduation from a trade, or two- or four-year school to pursue a professional career.</p> <p>Vineyard Team’s Executive Director, Beth Vukmanic, and milti-year scholarship recipient and Assistant Grower Relations Representative at Justin Winery, Evelyn Alvarez Mendoza talk about how the scholarship impacted her education and career trajectory through not only financial aide but industry connections. Evelyn gives her advice on how to succeed in college to new students and Beth shares how to apply for funding.</p> <p>First-generation students have more barriers when it comes to attaining higher education – they cannot ask their parents how to navigate the system, budgets are often tight, and they can feel guilty for leaving their families. As a community, we can band together to better the future of the next generation. Multi-year recipient Alberto Gonzales says, "I am proud of breaking the cycle and being the change in my family as the first generation to go to college."</p> <p>You can give the gift of higher education to students like Evelyn and Alberto this GivingTuesday. <strong>Our goal is to raise $75,000 by November 29, 2022.</strong> You’ll be doing more than just donating — your kindness will make it possible for working families to send their children to two-year colleges, four-year universities, and trade schools.</p> <h2>References:</h2> <ul> <li><a href= "https://vineyardteam.app.neoncrm.com/forms/vt-donation-form">Donate to the scholarship – help us raise $75,000 by November 29, 2022</a></li> <li><a href= "https://www.vineyardteam.org/scholarship/story/evelyn/">Evelyn Alvarez Mendoza – check-ins through