We Invest
FACT SHEET SVCF Board of Trustees Lance Fors - President Lisa Sobrato Sonsini - Vice President Rick Williams – Treasurer John Gibbs – Secretary Dianne McKenna – Member Dr. David Lopez – Member Kathy Ericksen – Member Mark Pearson – Member
About Foster Youth
About Silicon Valley Children’s Fund The Silicon Valley Children’s Fund is a public benefit
In 2005, there were 3,100 children in Santa Clara
organization based in San Jose, California. Formed
County’s foster care system due to abuse, neglect or
in 1987 as a public-private partnership with Santa
abandonment. A pproximately 200 foster care youth
Clara County’s Board of Supervisors, SVCF has been
“age-out” of careeach year Statewide, approximately
dedicated to improving life outcomes for foster youth
30% of foster youth function below grade level, 50%
for the past twenty years. Our work is made possible
are held back in school, and 46% drop out before
through broad support from the community’s
obtaining a high school diploma.Nationally, only 25%
most respected philanthropic, business, civic and
of foster youth consider college and of those, only
education leaders.
3% graduate, with 67% dropping out due to lack of
For more information about the Silicon Valley Children’s
money for housing, books, food and other needs.
Fund, please contact us at:
Within 2-4 years of emancipation:
4525 Union Avenue
• 51% of foster youth in California are unemployed • 63% of foster youth had not maintained a job for at least one year • 40% of foster youth receive public assistance • 25% experience homelessness
San Jose, CA 95124 (408) 558-5430 www.svcf.org Silicon Valley Children’s Fund Executive Director: Elise Cutini 1871 The Alameda, Suite 335 San Jose CA, 95126 408 484 6200 (Main) 408 484 1095 (Fax) info@svcf.org www.SVCF.org Tax ID: 77- 0166138 Photography: Cliffords Photography, Revol Web Moyan Brenn
Silicon Valley Children’s Fund (SVCF/The “Fund”)
Mission The SVCF invests in high impact programs that
Silicon Valley Children’s Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
improve the educational and life outcomes for the
corporation focused exclusively on the education
foster youth of Santa Clara County. We collaborate
and employment needs of current and former foster
with schools, community organizations, and public
youth. We invest in programs to improve the life
agencies to deliver life-transforming programs and
outcomes of foster youth in Santa Clara County.
services.
We advocate for the needs of foster youth, develop and fund programs to meet their needs, monitor results and measure success, support the expansion of programs that are thriving, and hold program
Vision
partners accountable for performance. Our return on
Compared to their age peers, foster youth in Santa
investment is the achievement of our kids.
Clara County will: • Complete high school at the same rate
History SVCF was established in 1987, with the mission of raising funds to build a new Children’s Shelter for Santa Clara County’s
• Hold part time and summer jobs successfully at the same rate • Attend and succeed at college and vocational schools at the same rate.
abused, neglected and abandoned youth. Through a unique public-private partnership,
High School Roadmap To Independence SVCF provides the educational pathways toward high school graduation, college preparation or trade school acceptance for foster youth through one-on-one academic mentorship that ensures each student has a personal education plan and the
the Fund raised $14 million to build the home-like
Programs
shelter that opened in 1995. Following the capital
SVCF’s programs and services successfully help foster
SVCF has also partnered with National Hispanic
project, SVCF undertook the development of model
youth become self-sustaining, adults by improving
University to provide summer school credit recovery
educational programs and support services that
educational outcomes and access to education. The
courses in English and Math to assist foster youth in
would help foster youth overcome their difficult
guiding principle is education is the great “equalizer”
meeting graduation requirements.
circumstances to achieve their dreams for the future.
that will empower foster youth with the tools to successfully transition into adulthood.
In the fall of 2012, the decision was made to close the shelter, and Silicon Valley Children’s Fund moved into its current office location, off the Alameda.
Advocacy and Education Policy
support necessary to obtain their educational goals.
“Yes” To Higher Education SVCF is helping to significantly raise the percentage of emancipated foster youth who successfully
SVCF advocates for education policy in Santa Clara
complete post-secondary education by providing
County that:
scholarships and wrap-around services to YES
• Makes the educational needs of foster children a priority and focus for the child welfare agency • Leads to a strong, collaborative relationship between child welfare and the education community • Results in all foster children having increased access to educational services and resources.
Scholars. These services include: college preparation workshops, mentorship support through their college years, college coaching during initial years at community college, academic success, financial planning, and professional development workshops, leadership training and development.