January 31, 2022 

Media Contact:
Rachel Evey, foundation executive director, 509-682-6415)
Libby Siebens, community relations executive director, 509-682-6436 (Mon.-Thurs.)

The North Central Washington Hispanic Empowerment Fund has partnered with the Wenatchee Valley College Foundation to award Empowerment Fund scholarships. The fund has established the NCW Hispanic Empowerment Fund Scholarship with an initial investment of $8,000 to the WVC Foundation.

The NCW Hispanic Empowerment Fund Scholarship will provide financial assistance to WVC students enrolled in WVC support service programs, including Area Health Education Center (AHEC), College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), Math Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) program and TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS). Each of these programs works to improve the diversity and achievement of historically underrepresented populations.

From 2017-2019, the fund awarded 43 students a total of $33,000. Major donors to the fund included Columbia Valley Community Health (CVCH), Moss Adams, Dr. Jim Richardson, Numerica Credit Union, Weinstein Beverage, and the NCW Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

“The North Central Washington Empowerment Fund is excited to partner with the WVC Foundation to support local students,” said Jessi Mendoza, Empowerment Fund president. “The Empowerment Fund is committed to supporting students in North Central Washington pursuing their higher education. When the board of directors began exploring how to continue awarding scholarships, we found that the WVC Foundation aligned with our values and goals.”

Donations to the NCW Hispanic Empowerment Fund Scholarship from the community are welcome and can be made online at wvc.edu/Give.

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The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. The foundation’s mission is to provide equitable access to education and invest in student success through philanthropy. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at wvc.edu/Foundation.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Coordinator, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.