Open to the public  from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. — In partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank

Yavapai Community College’s  Prescott Campus will hold its semi-annual community food distribution drive-through only on March 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or until all food is distributed. As noted, it is a drive through only event and is open to the public.

 “If you need food, come and get food. We will load you up,” said YCC Student Affairs Coordinator Deborah Chambers.

Yavapai Community College, in collaboration with St. Mary’s Food Bank, is facilitating this food distribution initiative. According to the College, more than one in seven Yavapai County residents experience food insecurity or lack consistent access to sufficient nutrition for themselves and their families.

The blog has no information regarding a similar food distribution effort at the Sedona Center or the Verde Campus. Notably, programs like this not only address food insecurity but also enhance the Community College’s public visibility and reinforce its role as an active participant in the community. Hopefully, if it has not already preparing to do so, the College leadership will consider expanding such efforts to all campuses and centers as this would further demonstrate a commitment to serving the broader Yavapai County region.

Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute donate more than $2,300

There were no grinches allowed on the Prescott and Verde Valley campuses this holiday season, thanks to the efforts of students, volunteers, and the Yavapai Community College Staff Association.

According to a Community College Facebook post, the group distributed “boxes galore” filled with food, gifts, and grocery gift cards to more than 50 Community College students and their families. The deliveries were made directly to the Prescott and Verde Valley campuses.

This heartwarming project was spearheaded by the Yavapai Community College Staff Association and made possible by the generosity of YCC employees, community members, and an army of volunteers.

Members of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) contributed more than $2,300 to purchase grocery gift cards, while YCC family and friends helped fulfill children’s holiday wishes through an Angel Tree program.

College representatives to share information on November 4 at 9:30 a.m.; meeting is open to women in Sedona and the Verde Valley who are interested in this topic and the opportunity to network with other women who are involved in elevating women through education

The University Women of Sedona will host their next informational program on Monday, November 4 at 9:30 a.m. when representatives of Yavapai Community College will share updates on several of their specialty programs.

Linda Shook

Linda Shook, Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning and the Sedona Center, will bring an update on OLLI classes, which are aimed at people 50 and older, share information about Community Education and Experiential Learning, and also present information about lifelong learning programs at the Sedona Center, Verde Valley Campus, and the Prescott Campus. Heather Mulcaire, Associate Dean of the Verde Valley Campus of Yavapai Community College, will discuss her campus which showcases students’ products at the Southwest Wine Center and the Sedona School of Culinary Arts.

Shook joined the College in 2019 with many years of experience at other universities in their OLLI and credit programs. In her current role, she oversees the Division of Lifelong Learning.

Heather Mulcaire

Mulcaire has enjoyed a 24 year career in education as an Agriculture Teacher and College Administrator. She is passionate about today’s cutting-edge, rigorous and relevant Career and Technical Education (CTE), which prepares people for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill, high-demand careers.

This meeting is open to women in the Verde Valley who are interested in this topic and the opportunity to network with other women who are involved in elevating women through education and are invited to attend this or a future meeting. University Women of Sedona’s mission is to give scholarships to support women in furthering their educational opportunities to an accredited local college or university. Refreshments will be served.

The Sedona chapter meets on the first Monday of every month at 9:30 a.m. at the Christ Lutheran Church of Sedona at 25 Chapel Road. For more information, contact universitywmnsedona@gmail.com.

More than 20 local employers in a variety of vocations are seeking new employees

Yavapai Community College’s Regional Economic Development Center and the city of Cottonwood will hold a Verde Valley Job Fair, Tuesday October 1 from 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Cottonwood Recreation Center, 150 S. Sixth Street in Cottonwood. Admission is free to all job seekers. Early 3 p.m. admission is provided to veterans 55 and older, and those with disabilities.

The Fair brings a wide range of local employers and possible vocations into one place, including: Abrio Home Care, Ambiente Sedona, Angels Care Home Health, Angels Care Hospice, City of Cottonwood, Cottonwood Police Department, Cottonwood-Oak Creek School District I, the Department of Corrections, Foothills Bank, Hilton Grand Vacations, Jones Ford Verde Valley, Mold In Graphics, NACOG-EWD, NACOG Head Start/Early Head Start, Northern Arizona Healthcare, Rainbow Acres, Steps to Recovery Homes, Verde Valley Humane Society, Yavapai College, Yavapai County Government, and Y.E.S. The Arc.

Attendees will meet potential employers and receive  the latest information about careers. They may be able to apply for part-time, full-time, temporary and seasonal employment. Job seekers are encouraged to dress for success.

Food pantry, plus special programs such as  partnering with  St. Mary’s Food Bank and Manzanita Outreach seek to reduce the stress of food insecurity

Yavapai Community College is addressing the significant issue of food insecurity among its students. One key initiative was the establishment of a Food Pantry on the Prescott Campus in 2019. This past academic year the Food Pantry served 897 students and their family members. The pantry is available to any student enrolled in at least 3 credit hours who is facing food insecurity.

In addition to its regular food offerings, the Prescott Campus Food Pantry occasionally hosts special events. For instance, on September 9, students had the chance to pick up freshly harvested  vegetables on a first-come, first-served basis from the Pantry.

Tackling food insecurity is a top priority for Yavapai Community College President Dr. Lisa Rhine. During the August convocation, she emphasized, “Our college cannot be a pathway out of poverty if we are not willing to support our students while they are in poverty.”

On September 27, the college will hold another special event in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank and Manzanita Outreach for students and the Prescott community. Thousands of pounds of non-perishable food will be distributed on the Prescott Campus. As per the Community College’s press release, “Everyone who could use some extra food in their home is welcome to participate. Participation will be easy! All area residents need to do is drive onto Yavapai Community College’s Prescott campus via North Washington Avenue, open their trunks or backseats to volunteers loading bags and boxes of food, and drive off, exiting via Marsten Avenue onto Sheldon Street.”

The drive-through food distribution will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until supplies run out, so organizers encourage participants to arrive early.

Students attending the Sedona Center, Verde Valley Campus, and Chino Valley Center are advised to utilize local food shelf organizations, as these campuses do not currently have food pantry programs similar to the one on the Prescott Campus in place (as far as the Blog is aware).

“We are a community college,” Verde Valley Campus Dean Dr. Irina Del Genio said. “It is important that we remain connected to our community.”

Dean Del Genio

Yavapai Community College’s Verde Valley Campus announced in a press release on September 12, 2024, that it is already preparing for its second annual Wine and Wags event as part of its open house program. The inaugural event, held Thursday, August 8, successfully combined the Campus Open House with the Wine & Wags celebration.

For a $25 admission fee, attendees could access the College pavilion, where they enjoyed live music, a glass of wine, and a charcuterie boat. Alternatively, guests could choose to relax outside near the pavilion and listen to the live music.

The event featured programs on dog grooming and pet photography plus an opportunity to adopt an animal from the Verde Valley Humane Society. In addition there were  efforts to inform residents and potential students of the academic opportunities and scholarships offered at the Campus.

The event also raised $2,000 for the Verde Valley Humane Society, according to Dean Irina Del Genio. In the press release, she emphasized the college’s commitment to community, stating, “We are a community college, and it is important that we remain connected to our community.”

Despite somewhat threatening weather, the turn-out was good

The combination of wine, good food, canines, and music helped make the Yavapai Community College Open House on the Verde Valley campus a success on August 8.  Thanks  must go to Bobbi Evans, the Verde Valley Humane Society, the Southwest Wine Center, the Sedona School of Culinary, vendors and Once Bitten musicians for making the event happy, delightful, and informative.

The canine visitors stole the show as is obvious from some  of these (edited) photos from the Community College’s Facebook page.

Experts will be available to answer questions about fees, scholarships, residence halls, courses, certificates and more

Yavapai Community College will hold an Open House at  the Prescott Campus Community Room, Bldg. 19, Room 147, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 20.  The campus is located at 1100 East Sheldon Street in Prescott..

Experts will be available to answer a host of questions including:

•  Scholarships, financial aid, and how to pay for college, courses, certificates, and more.
•  How to submit your free admission application to the Community College.

Refreshments will be served, and prizes will be available, including a Chrome Book, Amazon gift cards and more.