Community Partnerships - Golden West College

Th e Pr e s i d e n T ’s CO r n e r
Golden West College … a
California Community College
By President Wes Bryan
I would like to share with you some short stories about several of the Community Partnerships
in which GWC is currently engaged. After reading how your community college is partnering
with other service organizations you might be interested in developing a partnership project also.
I would welcome your call because we are, after all, your college.
Students in the El Viento Program, enjoying a day of sailing
Huntington beach chamber
of commerce
The HB Chamber Mission statement explains that
it “is the leader of and catalyst for plans, strategies,
programs and services that promote a favorable
business climate, improve the quality of life, and
support the orderly growth and development of our City.” Some of their
objectives include;
• To coordinate the efforts of commerce, industry and the professions
in maintaining and strengthening a sound and healthy business
climate in the Huntington Beach area.
• To sponsor aggressive programs of work and stimulate activities
which will provide for full development and employment of our
human and economic resources.
• To provide creative business leadership and effective coordination
of all interested parties in solving community problems and in
initiating constructive community action.
These goals are certainly compatible with the college’s own objectives
for our community and underscore why we find this an important
partnership. It is why our college Presidents have frequently served on
the Board of Directors and why we encourage college participation in
4 Wav e l e n g t h WInteR Fa l l 20082009
el Viento
El Viento’s mission is to provide children and young adults with
opportunities for success in life. These successes are the result of long term
relationships developed together within an environment of mutual trust
and respect, teamwork, learning, and skills and leadership development.
This commitment begins with parents and students in fourth grade and
continues through community college. Partners in this endeavor include Oak View Elementary
School, Ocean View School District, Huntington Beach Unified High School District and the
Coast Community College District – who have a shared mission to help these students help
themselves.
Golden West College has been very happy to host two graduations. In 2006, the first class of
fourth graders graduated from high school and entered college and in 2008 the second class
graduated and started college. In March of 2008, El Viento invited the ninth group of twenty-five
children into our program. This is a significant milestone for us as our program now serves close
to 200 students and their families. Their success is the community’s success and a testament to
the effectiveness of community partnership and leadership. Golden West College is proud to have
been part of this program since its inception by its founding visionaries - Ellen Shockro and Jack
Shaw, Founders of El Viento.
Huntington Beach elected officials, Chamber of Commerce, Golden West College, and
Miss Huntington Beach Outstanding Teen participated in the ribbon-cutting at the
dedication of the Frank M. and Gertrude R. Doyle School of Nursing and Health Services
Building.
events such as the Transportation Committee, Surf City Connection,
Economic Conference, Planning Conference, Green Expo, Leadership
Academy and other chamber activities. We know that our success as
a community and a college are inherently linked together and so this
partnership is one of mutual respect and developing friendships.