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Valley Builders Exchange is pleased to announce in collaboration with our partner Sacramento Builders Exchange, we are working with local high schools to prepare students for a building competition called Design Build Competition. Normally this is a two-day building event held in Sacramento, however due to COVID, most students might still be working from home. The competition will include a Building Competition, a Design Competition and an Open Competition. If students are not able to return to school, they will start the competition working from home on a miniature structure. The high schools that offer construction and building programs state one of their primary concerns is availability, ensuring access to all students. Students in disadvantaged neighborhoods often do not have the financial resources to compete because they may not have the necessary tools. Executive Director Christine Schweininger stated she was thrilled to have the support from members and nonmembers who donated brand new tool kits for students, including a large donation from F&M Bank. These kits ensure that each student will have the opportunity to participate and learn more about the trades. We feel programs and competitions like this promote career awareness of the construction industry among high school students and hopefully will serve as an opportunity to get more students aware of the trades.
“Riverbank Unified School District was delighted to find out that Valley Builders Exchange was able to support our students during distance learning with materials that would permit them to complete their projects. These students are pathway completers in building and construction and the materials are vital to developing their skills. Partnerships with organizations such as Valley Builders are valuable in preparing the workforce for the future. We recognize that post-secondary opportunities for some students do not always include college and the ability to assist those students in identifying their own pathway is important. We are grateful for the donation and look forward to future opportunities” as stated by Christine Facella Superintendent Riverbank Unified School District. Valley Builders Exchange (VBE) is a non-profit established in 1947 to provide services to the construction industry. Providing members access to projects statewide as well as updates on current bidding projects and bid results. VBE primarily works in the commercial and industrial industries. VBE is passionate about supporting our skilled force labor, therefore we stand committed on offering scholarships that are focused on the construction industry.
1118 Kansas Avenue • P.O. Box 4307 • Modesto, CA 95351 • (209) 522-9031 • Fax (209) 522-0616
There were several people in attendance recently at Riverbank High School for a presentation to support and celebrate tools donated by the Valley Builders Exchange, Inc. for the students taking part in a Design Build competition.
Photo By VIrgInIa stILL
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stanislaus Community Foundation announces new board directors
By Yolanda Meraz / ymeraz@stanislauscf.org
Stanislaus Community Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of two community leaders to its Board of Directors. Maria Arevalo and Chris Courtney will be joining Stanislaus Community Foundation’s Board of Directors for an initial three-year term.
Maria Arevalo currently serves as Chair of the Stanislaus Latino Giving Circle and as Chair of the Modesto City Golf Advisory Committee. From 2005 until her retirement in 2014, Maria worked as the Executive Director for the Merced County Employees Retirement Association (MCERA). Prior to that, Maria served as Deputy County Counsel for Merced County, worked for the Office of the Public Defender in Stanislaus and Merced Counties, and had a solo private practice. Maria moved to Modesto in 1978 to work for California Rural Legal Assistance. Maria has a law degree from Berkeley Law.
Chris Courtney is President & CEO of Oak Valley Community Bank. Chris joined Oak Valley Community Bank in 1996 and became President in 2004 and Chief Executive Officer in 2013 after having previously served the bank as EVP Chief Operating Officer and EVP Chief Credit Officer. Chris has over 25 years of diverse banking experience, having worked for a major bank, a mid-size bank, and another community bank prior to joining Oak Valley. Chris has a B.S. in Finance and an MBA from California State University, Sacramento.
“We are pleased to have Maria Arevalo and Chris Courtney join us in 2021,” said Bill Jackson, Chairman of the Board. “Maria’s experience as an attorney and Chris’s background in banking will be invaluable to Stanislaus Community Foundation. As importantly, their leadership will support our common commitment to advance our community through strategic philanthropy.”
For more information about Stanislaus Community Foundation, visit www.StanislausCF.org.
Since 2002, Stanislaus Community Foundation (SCF) has been a catalyst to transform local resources into common good through strategic philanthropy and bold leadership. Since its inception, SCF has granted more than $26 million to nonprofits and scholarship recipients in Stanislaus County. SCF houses more than 170 funds and close to $43 million in total charitable assets.
