The Berkeley Community Fund is expanding our support program! Please share this job description with people who would make a great addition to our team.

College Success Coordinator Job Description

Position Overview
The College Success Coordinator (CSC) is a new part-time position that will play a critical role in ensuring the success of our students. The CSC will report to the Executive Director (ED) and will be the second staff person to join the organization. The CSC will serve as the primary liaison to students and mentors, administer the scholarship program, provide information and support, plan events, and work with constituents and partner organizations to build a support network for the High Hopes scholars and mentors. The initial term is for one year and may be renewed.

Key Responsibilities

Applicant Outreach and Selection (20%)
• Work with the ED to manage the scholarship application process.
• Conduct outreach to Berkeley High School, Berkeley Technology Academy and community-based college readiness organizations.
• Assist with the delivery of presentations about the High Hopes Scholarship Program.
• Conduct application assistance workshops.
• Assist with the application review and interview process.
• Manage reminders and notifications to applicants throughout the process.
• Assist with the planning and execution of the scholarship awards ceremony.

Scholar Support (45%)
• Manage and track the disbursement of scholarship funds.
• Conduct outreach to all Scholars: maintain active and consistent contact; troubleshoot challenges and issues; provide support, resources, and referrals as needed.
• Collect updates and transcripts, monitor grades and progress to degree completion.
• Maintain well-organized records and provide reports on students’ progress and activities to BCF and individual donors.
• Assist with the planning and execution of our summer college transition programs.
• Build community among students including working with partner organizations to implement peer support programs and networks at selected colleges and universities.

Mentor Program (20%)
• Support the scholar-mentor relationship.
• Help with mentor selection process.
• Check in with mentors throughout the year, providing resources and referrals as needed.
• Organize training and social events for mentors and scholars.
• Help build community among mentors.

Other (15%)
• Work with ED to create and execute marketing and communications plan that includes managing the web site, email communication, and social media.
• Assist in the collection of qualitative and quantitative data to help guide decision-making and funding applications.
• Perform various administrative tasks to support programs.
• Participate in and assist with all BCF events including the Annual Wheeler Award dinner (October) and Holiday Party (December).

Qualifications
The CSC must be culturally competent with the ability to communicate and relate effectively to a wide variety of people. Successful candidates will possess the following:

Required
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Passion for creating educational opportunity and equity.
• Creativity and adaptability with the ability to effectively resolve issues.
• Effective communication and interpersonal abilities with the skills to listen, solicit input, share information and respond tactfully and appropriately.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently to move projects forward.
• Comfort with the use of technology, cloud-based software, and social media.
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to self-manage and meet internal deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Highly Desirable
• Some knowledge of
o college access and success processes and best practices for working with first-generation and underrepresented college students.
o student financial aid processes and campus-based student support services.
o theories of student development and maturation .
• Experience working as an advisor or counselor to college-going or college-bound youth.

Work Environment
The BCF has one small office located on the bottom floor of the YMCA PG&E Teen Center in downtown Berkeley, close to BART, with numerous lunch and coffee break destinations. We use the YMCA for many of the administrative functions of the organization and the CSC is technically an employee of the YMCA of the Central Bay Area. The CSC has a flexible work schedule with the option of working from home and coming in to the office as needed.

Compensation and Benefits
This is a part-time (25 hours per week), exempt position.

How to Apply
Send an email to info@berkfund.org by Friday, May 23, 2014. Attach a cover letter that identifies the reasons you are applying for this position and a current resume that includes education, job history and at least two (2) references. Please include a current email address and phone number.

No phone inquiries please.

Background Check Requirement:
This job is subject to successful completion of a criminal background check.

The BCF is an equal opportunity employer.

About the Berkeley Community Fund
The Berkeley Community Fund (BCF) provides college scholarships and mentoring support for academically-talented and resilient Berkeley high school students attending four-year colleges and universities. Scholars receive $16,000 paid directly to them over four years plus the support and guidance of an adult mentor. Our program is called the High Hopes Scholarship Program.

Our scholars come from groups generally underrepresented in higher education; many are first generation college students and/or recent immigrants. Our goal is to help them to better navigate the demands and challenges of higher education and increase the likelihood that they will successfully obtain a college degree.

BCF has focused on social and economic justice issues and the common good since it was founded in 1992. Beginning in 2007, we refined our focus and now use donations from the community to develop and support our High Hopes Scholarship Program. Since 2008, we have awarded $1.4 million in scholarships to 92 motivated and promising Berkeley high school graduates, all of whom have demonstrated great resilience in overcoming early life challenges. Over 80% of our scholars have earned bachelor ’s degrees or are still enrolled in four-year colleges and on-track to graduate.

Please join us to congratulate and celebrate the Berkeley Community Fund’s newest High Hopes Scholars–23 Berkeley High and B-Tech graduates embarking on their college careers.

As well as recognize the accomplishments of our High Hopes Scholars receiving their college degrees this year.

Monday, June 9, 2014
6:00-8:00 PM
Berkeley City Club
2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley

Let us know if you’re coming, please RSVP by June 6, 2014 on our Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-high-hopes-scholarships-awards-ceremony-registration-11688912853

To find out more about our 2014 recipients, read our press release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 22, 2014
CONTACT: JOLEEN RUFFIN 510.542.2126
joleen@berkfund.org

BCF GRANTS RECORD NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO CLASS OF 2014 23 College-bound students to receive support to help them succeed in school and beyond

BERKELEY, CA – The Berkeley Community Fund (BCF) has chosen the recipients of its
2014 High Hopes college scholarships. Twenty-three inspiring Berkeley High and Berkeley
Tech Academy graduating seniors will be honored at an awards ceremony on June 9, 2014
at the Berkeley City Club:

Katherine Acosta-Hernandez
Nuha Al Ammari
Alejandra Alas
Alfonso Alonso
Raekwon Dallett
Yakira Evans
Kayla Garrett
Refujio Gonzalez
Nora Jang
Merwan Jemal
Priyanka Jindal
Tehan Ketema
Junming Li
Sophia Liu
Hao Ma
Julia Maciel
Amanda Medina
Monte Metal
Lyheng Phey
Evangelina Sanchez
Michelle Shannon
Derek Spears
Suyi Zhu

The scholars will be attending campuses of the University of California, a number of
California state universities, and private colleges, including the University of Wisconsin,
Barnard, New York University and Columbia. All of the students are in the first generation
of their families to pursue a college education.

Over 100 students participated in the High Hopes Scholarship application process this year,
making it the most competitive process since BCF established the program in 2008.
Recipients are chosen based on academic potential, financial need, resiliency, leadership,
and an interview with a panel of BCF board members and community volunteers. All
seniors graduating from Berkeley public high schools with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or
above who will be attending a 4-year college or university are eligible to apply.

“We had a terrific group of candidates this year, including a very impressive student from
B-Tech who was able to complete four years of high school in just two. A number of our
applicants participated in enrichment programs while in high school while juggling jobs
and family responsibilities. They are all amazing young people and our decisions weren’t
easy. We are thrilled that the community has stepped up to support 23 students this year.
We wish we could support even more,” said Jessica Pers, BCF board president.

BCF scholarships make a substantive difference to the recipients. Each scholar will receive
$16,000, paid over four years, and important services that help them succeed in college and
graduate: a volunteer mentor to help them better navigate the challenges and demands of
higher education, financial literacy training, transition-to-college workshops, and support
from BCF’s College Success Coordinator. Since 2008, BCF has supported 115 Berkeley
public high school seniors and awarded $1.76 million in scholarships. Our program has a
great success rate: Over 80% of participants in the High Hopes Scholarship Program have
already earned a Bachelor’s degree or are still on track to do so.

About the Berkeley Community Fund
The BCF is a nonprofit organization that has focused on social and economic justice issues
and the common good since it was founded in 1992, emphasizing philanthropy to support
programs that help at-risk youth and families. Based on our belief in the importance of
higher education to improve economic and social mobility, we now direct all donations to
the High Hopes Scholarship Program. We envision a future when all the young people of
Berkeley succeed in fulfilling their aspirations, develop their full potential, and share their
positive, enriched lives with the world.

Visit our website at www.berkfund.org or Facebook page at www.facebook.com/berkfund
to learn more about BCF and its programs, to make a donation to support future High
Hopes Scholars, or to get involved in our programs.

###

The Berkeley Community Fund is so proud to congratulate the following High Hopes Scholars who recently graduated.

Morris Callegari, 2009 Scholar
University of California, Riverside
B.A. Art

Diepriye Olali , 2009 Scholar
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Architecture

Dominique Fluker, 2010 Scholar
Sarah Lawrence College
Bachelor of Arts

Mika Kubo, 2009 Scholar
University of California, Berkeley
B.A. International Area Studies / Peace and Conflict Studies and Media Studies

Jody Lyman, 2010 Scholar
San Francisco State University
B.S. Consumer and Family Science

Brissa Mendoza, 2009 Scholar
University of California, Davis
B.A. Art and B.A. History of Art and Visual Culture

Christina Nguyen, 2010 Scholar
University of California, Davis
B.S. Community and Regional Development

Charanpreet Sahota, 2010 Scholar
University of California, Davis
B.S. Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior

Amanda Tornero, 2010 Scholar
University of California, Riverside
B.A. Spanish

Graduating Scholars Diepriye Olali, Dominique Fluker (pictured with BCF board member, Diana Meckfessel) and Jody Lyman at the 2014 Scholarship Awards Ceremony on June 9, 2014

Environmental Scientist and Mountaineer Arlene Blum to Receive the

2014 Benjamin Ide Wheeler Medal

BERKELEY, CA – The Berkeley Community Fund announced today that Dr. Arlene Blum, environmental scientist, author and mountaineer, will receive the 2014 Benjamin Ide Wheeler Medal. The award recognizes Dr. Blum’s many and varied accomplishments: leading the first American (and all-women’s) climb to the summit of Annapurna I, her efforts to eliminate harmful chemicals from our homes and the environment, starting with removing cancer-causing flame retardants from children’s sleepwear in 1977, and her more recent work as founder and executive director of the Green Science Policy Institute. Dr. Blum will receive the award at BCF’s annual High Hopes Dinner celebration on October 9, 2014.

“Arlene Blum truly reflects the best of our community and its variety of interests and pursuits,” said Jessica Pers, president of the Berkeley Community Fund. “She serves as an inspiration for so many people, not only in Berkeley but around the world, by showing what intelligence, persistence and courage can achieve.”

Dr. Blum first came to worldwide prominence in the 1970s, when she co-led the first all-woman team to climb Denali. In 1978 she organized and led the first successful American — and all-woman— ascent of Annapurna I, considered one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult mountains.  She later completed the Great Himalayan Traverse across the mountain regions of Bhutan, Nepal, and India and hiked the length of the European Alps with her baby daughter on her back.  Her amazing adventures are described in her own books:  Annapurna: A Woman’s Place and Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life.

Dr. Blum, who received a PhD in biophysical chemistry at UC Berkeley, applies the same strength and commitment to her work as an environmental scientist leading the challenging work to stop the use of harmful chemicals in consumer products in the United States and worldwide.  Indeed, her work with the Green Science Policy Institute has led to policy changes that have prevented the use of hundreds of millions of pounds of harmful flame-retardants in chemicals in clothing, furniture, electronics and other products.  Most recently, her work contributed to California’s new furniture flammability standard, TB 117-2013, for fire safe furniture without the use of unnecessary flame-retardants. It is a victory for more responsible use of chemicals and a healthier planet for current and future generations.

In addition to her professional pursuits, Dr. Blum founded Berkeley’s popular Himalayan Fair, an annual celebration of Himalayan culture designed to increase friendship and understanding between Berkeley and the Himalayan peoples. Since 1983, proceeds from the fair have supported orphanages, helped build schools, paid for teachers and enabled projects of more than 50 organizations in Nepal, Tibet, India and Afghanistan.

The Benjamin Ide Wheeler Medal was established in 1929 by the Service Club of Berkeley to honor the city’s “most useful citizen.” It is named after the University of California president who was best known for transforming the school from a small land grant college into a world-renowned university. President Wheeler recognized that the fundamental basis for democracy is drawn from healthy local communities. Today, the award honors individuals whose broad vision, community engagement, and actions improve the quality of life for a significant number of people in Berkeley and beyond.

Dr. Blum joins a list of Wheeler Award recipients who have had a remarkable impact on our lives. The first medalist was William H. Waste, a California Supreme Court Justice who was a co-founder and the first president of the Berkeley Public Library and co-founder and president of the Berkeley YMCA. Later recipients include Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ernest O. Lawrence, namesake of Lawrence Berkeley Labs, Lawrence Livermore Labs, and Lawrence Hall of Science; the Honorable Thelton E. Henderson, former civil rights attorney and current federal judge; Davida Coady, MD, founder and medical director of Options Recovery Services; environmentalist David Brower; Save the Bay co-founder Sylvia McLaughlin; acoustic pioneers and local philanthropists Helen and John Meyer; Berkeley Rep Managing Director Susan Medak; radio personality, chef, raconteur and philanthropist, Narsai David; and cultural icon and humanitarian Wavy Gravy.

ABOUT THE AWARDS DINNER

The Berkeley Community Fund’s annual High Hopes Dinner brings together a cross-section of people from the greater East Bay community to celebrate one of the things we love best about Berkeley: It is a small city with big ideas, a big heart, and big impact. The festive event is the major fundraiser for the Berkeley Community Fund’s High Hopes Scholarship Program.  Tickets and sponsorship information are available at http://bit.ly/BCF2014AnnualDinner or by calling (510) 542-2126.

ABOUT THE BERKELEY COMMUNITY FUND

The Berkeley Community Fund is a charitable nonprofit organization founded in 1992 by a group whose love for Berkeley and for a community of hope and equity inspired them to set up a fund that would reflect their goals. Based on our belief in the importance of higher education to improve economic and social mobility, we now direct all donations to our High Hopes Scholarship Program. Since 2008, we have helped 115 motivated and promising Berkeley high school graduates succeed in college by providing over $1.76 million in scholarships plus mentoring and other support. More than 80% of our scholars have either earned bachelor’s degrees or are still enrolled and on-track to do so.

For more information about the BCF, visit www.berkfund.org. For more information on the Green Science Policy Institute, see www.greensciencepolicy.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July, 31, 2014
CONTACT:
Joleen Ruffin
(510) 542-2126
joleen@berkfund.org

Download PDF version of Press Release

Refujio Gonzalez
Marion Marshall High Hopes Scholar
Barnard College

Refujio earned a 3.9 GPA in the most challenging curriculum (International Baccalaureate) at Berkeley High School and tutors students in the RISE program. She is Vice-President of the Chicano-Latino student club. She is interested in studying global affairs, economics, and american studies with a focus on third world countries. She hopes to work on developing solutions which will support a healthy economy in impoverished communities globally. Refujio will be the first person in her family to attend college.

Kayla Garrett
BCF High Hopes Scholar
Cal Poly, P0mona

Kayla has participated in student leadership in the Academy of Medicine and Public Service (AMPS) at Berkeley High School, is a reading buddy for students at Washington Elementary and is a member of the Health Occupation Students Association, whose mission is to spread awareness about healthcare. She has worked at Youth Radio and is interested in studying economics and international business. Kayla will be the first person in her family to attend college.

Yakira Evans
Oliver-Winkel Sahm High Hopes Scholar
University of California, Merced

Yakira participated in the Bridge program at Berkeley High School, was an intern with the Tobacco Use Prevention Education Program (TUPE) and is a reading buddy for kindergarteners at Washington Elementary. Yakira will be the first person in her family to attend college. She is interested in child psychology and would like a career helping children get through traumatic events in their lives.

Raekwon Dallett
Shanks Family High Hopes Scholar
University of California, Los Angeles

Raekwon is part of the International Baccalaureate program, considered to be one of the most academically rigorous programs at Berkeley High School. He has played Ultimate Frisbee competitively for the past six years and traveled to Costa Rica last summer with the Global Glimpse program. Raekwon is a first generation college student. He is interested in majoring in business and would like to work with a tech corporation that strives to make everyone’s job rewarding and interesting.

Alfonso Alonso
Ask.com High Hopes Scholar
San Diego State University

Alfonso is passionate about soccer and played on the Berkeley High School team for four years. As a senior, he was the captain of the varsity team. He has been involved in the Chicano-Latino Club and
is a dedicated member of the Y-Scholars program. Alfonso is a first generation college student. He is interested in pursuing a career in architecture or civil engineering because he has always been interested
in the structure of buildings.

Alejandra Alas
Gilbert Family High Hopes Scholar
University of California, Santa Barbara

Alejandra participated in the RISE program, the CORO Leadership Program and was active in student leadership at Berkeley High School. She has held an internship with the Berkeley City Council and is the recipient of the Mayor’s Student Leadership Award. Alejandra will be the first person in her family to attend college. She is interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement so she can help keep her community safe.

Nuha Al Ammari
Saul Zaentz High Hopes Scholar
San Francisco State University

Nuha’s family emigrated from Yemen, looking for a better future in America. She participated in the Bridge program at Berkeley High School and worked as an intern for the Tobacco Use Prevention Education Program (TUPE). Nuha overcame a personal health crisis during her sophomore year and will be the first person in her family to attend college. Nuha is interested in biology and public health.

Katherine Acosta-Hernandez
Jascha Pohl Memorial High Hopes Scholar
University of California, Riverside

Katherine will be the first person in her family to attend college. She was an active member of the Bridge program at Berkeley High School and volunteered as a reading buddy at Washington Elementary.
Katherine traveled to Nicaragua as part of the Global Glimpse program. She is interested in studying animal biology and zoology to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian.

The 2015 High Hopes Scholarship application is now available here. The application submission deadline is Noon (PST), Thursday, April 9, 2015. All finalists will be contacted and interviewed before the final awards are made. Interviews will be conducted at the YMCA Teen Center on Monday, May 11, 2015. The scholarship awards ceremony will be held Monday, June 8, 2015.

For the first time this year, the Berkeley Community Fund will be administering scholarships for the Berkeley Rotary. Only one application is needed to apply to both the Berkeley Community Fund and the Berkeley Rotary.

If you have questions or need technical assistance with the application, please contact our College Success Coordinator, Lynn Walker at lynn@berkfund.org

Good Luck, Class of 2015!

If you would like to receive updates and reminders, sign up for our email list on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/berkfund

Left to right: (UC Berkeley career counselor), Juan Azuara, Christian Merino, Evan Ho, and Lynn Walker (BCF College Success Coordinator)

BCF staff visited the UC Berkeley Career Center last week with several scholars to find out what services are available to students. “Do you know the top reason students come to our career office? To seek help finding internships,” Sharron O’Connor, a CAL career counselor, emphasized. “Academics are important, but students also need hands-on experience!” CAL students who have internship experience are five times more likely to get an offer of employment and earn $10,000-$20,000 more in their first jobs out of school.”

Juan, an Economics major is interested in finding out about applying for graduate school, and Evan, a Biology major with an interest in veterinary school, hopes to get some hands on work experience with animals over the summer. Sharron introduced the scholars to CAL’s Career Center site, “Callisto” and walked the students through a web search that provides current job, internship, and fellowship openings. Students can also make mini-appointments to get answers to quick questions or longer appointments for help with graduate school applications, mock interviews, resume and cover letter help, or to complete skill and interest inventories, if they are unsure about their career path. A foreign diplomat is also stationed at the UC Berkeley Career Center to guide students interested in Foreign Service careers. No matter what a student’s career plans/needs are their campus career centers are a great place to begin research and to take an active role in planning their careers.

So what are you waiting for? Take some sound advice from Juan, “If you want to learn more about research opportunities, internships, and graduate school, go to your Career Center!” Contact BCF, College Success Coordinator, Lynn Walker at lynn@berkfund.org for more information about internships, campus resources and upcoming BCF career development activities.

For students invited to participate in the interview process for the 2015 High Hopes Scholarship Program (Berkeley Community Fund and Berkeley Rotary scholarships), details are as follows.

1. You will receive an email from the Berkeley Community Fund with your interview time. Emails will be sent to the email address you provided in your application. If you have not received an email from us by the end of the day on Tuesday, May 5, please check your spam folder. If you cannot find an email from us, send a message to lynn@berkfund.org to find out if you have an interview.

2. Interviews WILL NOT be held at the YMCA Teen Center.

3. Interviews WILL be held at the UC Berkeley Career Center at 2440 Bancroft Ave, Berkeley — across from the UC Berkeley campus.

4. It takes 15-20 minutes to walk from Berkeley High School to the Career Center (see map below), you will need to arrive at the UCB Career Center at least 20 minutes before your scheduled interview time to fill out paperwork and get your photograph taken. Please allow enough time in your schedule to arrive on time. e.g. if your interview is at 10:00 AM, you should plan on leaving the Berkeley High School campus no later than 9:20 AM to allow yourself enough time to get to the Career Center and check-in.

EAST BAY GIVES is TODAY

Just 24 hours of online giving through the East Bay Community Foundation to support East Bay nonprofits.

Its simple, use the form  and make an online donation before midnight tonight.

Donations to the Berkeley Community Fund help us qualify for cash ”prizes” throughout the day that we can add to our High Hopes Scholarship college fund.

Please consider a gift–$5, $50 or $500–no matter how big or small–we appreciate your support.