January 6, 2020
Mesa College Resiliency Fund Campaign Reaches Over $100,000
By Office of Communications
San Diego, CA. — On December 25, San Diego Mesa College announced that donations to
The Resiliency Fund reached $100,000, and has since raised over $1,000 more. This is historic for the College, as this is the highest level of giving ever reached
in a fundraising campaign. The Resiliency Fund will be a sustainable long-term financial
reserve used to assist students in need, and thereby decrease their risk of dropping
out of class or college.
“In this season of giving, its truly amazing that donors have stepped up to support
this fund,” stated Mesa College President Pamela Luster. “This will really help our
students meet their basic needs so that they can focus on homework instead of hunger
or housing."
Completing their education isn't only good for students; it's good for San Diego.
Recent analysis has shown that current and former Mesa and San Diego Community College
District students were responsible for generating $4.3 billion to the local economy
in the 2018-19 fiscal year according to a new study from an Idaho-based labor market
analytics firm. While this is a substantial impact, concerns for student success arise
when the Hope Lab Community Colleges #RealCollege Survey showed that nearly 50% of Mesa College students are struggling with food insecurity
while another 18% lack permanent housing.
Since its official launch in September 2019, the San Diego Mesa College Resiliency Fund Campaign has been receiving – on average - $1,000 per day in donations, with total
donations up to $101,376 as of January 6, 2020. Leading donors who made this possible
include California Coast Credit Union, which provided an Olympian Gold sponsorship, and a generous bequest from Mesa Alumnus
Warren Rigdon.
Donations to The Resiliency Fund can be made through the Mesa Foundation at www.sdmesa.edu/ResiliencyFund.
View the Resiliency Fund Video.
Tags: Mesa Foundation, Press Release, Resiliency Fund
