Promise for a Lifetime event marks public launch of Promise Plus fundraiser

Posted on: Nov 14, 2019 12:00:00 AM
In: Grossmont, Cuyamaca, District
Academics, Campus Life, Featured
Contact: Anne Krueger anne.krueger@gcccd.edu

A December 6 celebration at Grossmont College’s new Performing and Visual Arts Center marks the end of an era for Chancellor Cindy L. Miles and the public start of a fundraising campaign to expand on her legacy of helping students succeed at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges.

The “Promise for a Lifetime” event will be honoring Miles, who is retiring after serving more than a decade as the district’s chancellor. All of the proceeds raised from the event will go toward Promise Plus, established by the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges to ensure that students have the financial support they need to achieve their education goals.

The event is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. on Friday, December 6. Those attending will get a sneak peek at the interior of the Performing and Visual Arts Center, set to officially open in early 2020. The cost to attend is a minimum donation of $100 per person, and can be purchased through the Foundation website at foundation.gcccd.edu/promise-for-a-lifetime. A silent auction will be held, which will include bids on some of Miles’ many personal signature scarves that she is donating to the event.

Promise Plus Scholarships were created by the Foundation for Grossmont & Cuyamaca Colleges to provide critically needed scholarships to students at both Grossmont and Cuyamaca Colleges. The focus of these scholarships are first-time, full-time college students, adults returning to college to improve their workforce skills and students transferring from Adult School—priority will be given to students with financial need.

In addition, a perpetual fund for emergency scholarships will be created with goal of keeping dedicated students in school when they encounter an unexpected financial hardship. As many as 70% of Grossmont-Cuyamaca students are low-income so the need for scholarships is very strong.

Sally Cox, CEO of the foundation, said the goal of the fundraising campaign is to create a $4 million endowment so that scholarships will be available to Grossmont and Cuyamaca College students in perpetuity. More than $2 million has already been raised from grants and private donations, and now the foundation is broadening its fundraising appeal to the public to reach the goal.

She noted that the Promise Plus scholarships give everyone the chance to pursue a higher education, even those who previously thought they couldn’t afford to go to college. Attending Grossmont or Cuyamaca colleges can transform a life, with studies showing that the median earnings of those who attended college are about 60% higher than those with a high school education, Cox said.

“We want more people in our community to have the opportunity to transition from poverty to a sustainable life and career,” she said. “Supporting this scholarship campaign is a great way to make an investment in the future of our community.”

For more information about Promise for a Lifetime or to donate to support East County scholarships, visit foundation.gcccd.edu or contact Development Director Dana Rivers at
(619) 644-7652 or dana.rivers@gcccd.edu.