THE FUTURE OF
A Campaign for Great Expectations
A DECADE OF TRANSFORMATION : CELEBRATING GREAT EXPECTATIONS AT TEN YEARS The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education funds innovative programs that improve economic and social mobility by bridging the access and affordability gap between high school and college. Great Expectations exists to help all of Virginia’s foster youth pursue associate degrees and workforce certifications, transfer to four-year colleges and universities, and position themselves for employment and life success.
OUR MISSION: Help Virginia’s foster youth complete high school, gain access to a community college education, and transition successfully to living independently.
OUR VISION: All foster youth in Virginia obtain a postsecondary education and achieve success in both education and employment pursuits.
OUR GOAL: To make Great Expectations available and easily accessible for all Virginia’s foster youth. We seek to raise $10 million to fund annual operations for coaches, student emergency funds, leadership development opportunities, and endowment building.
On Cover: JEREMY, Brownwell Metal Studio
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Piedmont Virginia Community College graduate
The Great Expectations program for foster youth began in 2008 with a generous challenge grant from the Fried family. The program, which began with five colleges, is now celebrating its 10th year and has expanded to 21 of Virginia’s Community Colleges.
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The biggest thing young people need is some kind of support. Somebody who can say ‘I believe in you, I can help.’ – BARBARA FRIED, FOUNDER
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THE GREAT EXPECTATIONS PROGRAM HAS DOUBLED THE GRADUATION RATE FOR FOSTER YOUTH IN VIRGINIA. As of 2018, the Great Expectations program has served over 3,000 foster youth. The Great Expectations program has grown to graduating more than 100 students per year. Today, the mean annual earnings figure for foster youth is only $13,989, compared to $32,212 for members of their peer group. Great Expectations aims to bridge this gap.
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MEET MAVERIK Maverik attends Central Virginia Community College and is pursuing an associate degree. As a youth, Maverik was in foster care and bounced around from place to place. He wanted to go to college and went to CVCC because they offered the Great Expectations program. He needed help navigating college and life in general. Today, he maintains a 3.1 GPA and thrives at the CVCC campus both socially and academically. “ My success would never have been possible without the guidance, support, and financial assistance that Great Expectations provided. It is just what I needed as a college student and I deeply appreciate everything they offered. Thank you very much.�
-MAVERIK
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COACHING FOR FOSTER YOUTH STRATEGY Great Expectations campus coaches help foster youth transition to and navigate the world of higher education. Having a single point of contact and support for these students is the most critical link in helping them achieve success.
IMPACT The most important impact is on the lives of former foster youth who went from feeling broken, abandoned, and hopeless to feeling confident, accomplished, and hopeful. With a caring, supportive coach, these vulnerable youth have achieved success in higher education and the opportunity for a bright future.
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COACHES, LIKE MICKEY, WORK CLOSELY WITH STUDENTS TO: • P rovide mentoring and support to students navigating higher education • Assist students with admissions and financial aid applications • Help students explore career choices and opportunities • Counsel students on course selection and program progression • Help students connect to college resources • Assist students with life skills training, including managing finances • Provide access to an emergency fund • Help overcome barriers to success, including housing, transportation, and child care • Provide opportunities to participate in group activities • Provide opportunities in the Student Leadership Program
COACH MICKEY has been working
with the Great Expectations program for more than six years.
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MEET SILVIA Silvia graduated in 2015 from John Tyler Community College with an associate degree. She graduated from the University of Richmond in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. Silvia is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Shenandoah University in the Physician Assistant Program. “ Great Expectations means my success! I am where I am now because of Great Expectations. My coach, Vicky Muensterman, became my family. Because of Great Expectations, I was able to accomplish my goals. Through guidance, sympathy, generosity, and support, Great Expectations changed my life completely.”
–SILVIA
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MEET CHRISTINE Christine graduated from John Tyler Community College in May 2016 with an associate degree in Applied Science. Christine was part of the JTCC GE advisory board. She is currently employed by the Virginia Department for Social Services (VDSS). “ The Great Expectations program has helped me be very successful in my life so far. It has helped me become the first person in my family to go to college. It helped keep me on track throughout the years, and I have now obtained a job at VDSS working with the Compass Program. I am on the board helping create a survey for foster youth, and on the board for the Virginia Poverty Law Center, as well as a mentor for Gear Up.“
-CHRISTINE
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MEET JASMINE Jasmine graduated from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College in May 2014 with an associate degree. Jasmine is pursuing a master’s degree from Liberty University in criminal justice. “The Great Expectations program helped me not only navigate through the higher education experience, but with day-to-day life experience. Through mentoring and offering students hope, understanding of our well-being and advocating on our behalf, they are essentially the family that we have never known. Although I have graduated and moved on, I am and will always remain a part of this program.”
-JASMINE
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MEET THOMAS Thomas graduated in 2013 with an associate degree in Business Administration. He has been employed as a territory manager and district coach at Central Garden and Pet Company for six years. He bought his first home last summer in Norfolk. “ Great Expectations helped me open numerous doors and opportunities. It helped with connections that I continue to use through adulthood.�
-THOMAS
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As Great Expectations enters its 10th year, please join with us to continue this valuable work.
THE COMMONWEALTH’S FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS Building the Future is uniting leaders from across the Commonwealth, representing the state’s education, business, government, and philanthropic communities. Together, we are charting a bold and vibrant course for our collective future. With this campaign, we will make it possible for all Virginians to access the promise of higher education; we will create new degree programs and workforce training pathways; and we will ensure that students have the support they need to complete their education and build successful lives.
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EVERY GIFT MATTERS Changing the life of a Great Expectations student is an exceptional return on your investment. Please help provide the opportunity for a bright future to these vulnerable students. These gifts provide support for basic needs in addition to critical student support services: Transportation: A $25 gift provides transportation to school for a student for a week. Food: A $100 gift provides a student with food for a week. Supporting Classroom Success: A $500 gift provides a student with supplies, books, and/or private tutoring for a semester.
Developing Future Leaders: A $1,000 gift provides a student with the opportunity to build leadership skills through the experiential Student Leadership Program.
Managing Life’s Unexpected Emergencies: A $5,000 gift provides emergency funds for students at one college.
Providing a Caring Adult and Mentor: A $25,000 gift provides a coach to serve 50 students for a semester.
Providing Hope to all Foster Youth in Virginia: A $75,000 gift will help Great Expectations expand to the remaining two colleges, Virginia Western and Dabney S. Lancaster, so that foster youth across the entire Commonwealth will have one-on-one coaching and other support services which can put them on the path to a brighter future.
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Great Expectations expands educational opportunities and offers hope for a brighter future to an important group of deserving and disadvantaged young Virginians: youth transitioning out of the foster care system.
ANNE HOLTON
Former Program Director, Great Expectations Former First Lady of Virginia Former Virginia Secretary of Education
JANE AND DAN DIXON help students with unexpected emergency expenses through their thoughtful support of an emergency fund for the Great Expectations Program. Dan is a member of the Board of Directors for The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.
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I am so impressed with the aspirations and dreams of Great Expectations students. They have overcome incredible challenges. I am confident these students will achieve much success and contribute to our greater good.
THE HON. NANCY FIRESTONE The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education Board of Directors 16
Ways to give Together, we can all be there for Virginia’s foster youth. Your contribution will help The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education expand the promise of Great Expectations to all young people leaving foster care in Virginia.
vfcce.org/giving-opportunities Donate Online.
Make a one-time gift, schedule recurring gift payments, or make a perpetual gift by using our secure Annual Fund online giving form.
Matching Gifts. Many companies encourage their employees to make charitable contributions by matching their philanthropic gift. Planned Giving. Making a bequest from your future estate can be a generous way to maximize your gift. One simple form of a planned gift is designating the VFCCE in a will for a specific amount or a percentage of the estate. Charitable
Give by Mail. Make a check payable to The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education and mail it to: 300 Arboretum Place, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23236.
Call us. (804) 819-4961 We can take your gift over the phone, or talk to you about these and other ways you can make a difference in higher education opportunities for Virginia’s citizens.
gift annuities, life insurance policies, or designations from retirement plans are other forms of planned giving. Pledge. Make a one-time or multi-year pledge. Sponsor an event. Sponsors play a significant role in the success of our conferences. Contact us today about how you can become a sponsor.
Stock Transfer. A gift of stock or appreciated securities has two major advantages. It provides the donor with an immediate income tax deduction and eliminates capital gains taxes to the extent allowed by law. Stock can be transferred to the VFCCE, which can receive stock certificates.
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization. Our federal tax id is 23-7004354. In keeping with statewide and national practice, the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education maintains an administrative fee of 4 percent which will be assessed on a one-time basis on all new restricted contributions. The proceeds from this fee will further Foundation development efforts, allowing for advances in processing gifts, stewarding donors, and preparing for and executing fundraising activities. 17
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Virginia Foundation for Community College Education Carolyn Berkowitz Burke, Virginia
Dorcas Helfant-Browning, Chair Virginia Beach, Virginia
Arthur S. Brinkley III Richmond, Virginia
Gaye C. Montgomery, Treasurer Richmond, Virginia
Gretchen C. Byrd Richmond, Virginia
C. Michael Petters Newport News, Virginia
Karen Campbell Richmond, Virginia
John J. Rainone Clifton Forge, Virginia
Ben Davenport, Jr., Secretary Chatham, Virginia
Brad Repp Fredericksburg, Virginia
Dan R. Dixon Arlington, Virginia
Stewart D. Roberson, Vice Chair Richmond, Virginia
Glenn DuBois Richmond, Virginia
Paul Ruppert Richmond, Virginia
Elizabeth El-Nattar McLean, Virginia
Donna M. VanCleave Richmond, Virginia
The Hon. Nancy Firestone Falls Church, Virginia
Jeanette Wang Charlottesville, Virginia
Jennifer Sager Gentry Glen Allen, Virginia
A. Michael Wilkerson Winchester, Virginia
Philip H. Goodpasture, General Counsel Richmond, Virginia
F. Blair Wimbush Chesapeake, Virginia
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FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jennifer Sager Gentry, Ed.D. Vice Chancellor, Institutional Advancement Executive Director, VFCCE (804) 819-4962 | jgentry@vccs.edu Rachel Mayes Strawn, Ph.D. Program Director, Great Expectations (804) 819-4690 | rstrawn@vccs.edu
vfcce.org/giving-opportunities