220424 1657 request for a letter of supportFrom:JoAnna Schilling
To:Frances Marquez
Subject:request for a letter of support
Date:Sunday, April 24, 2022 4:57:23 PM
Attachments:Outlook-signature_.png
Community Project Funding 2023 – Cypress College - Support Material_2023.docx
Community Project Funding 2023 - CypressCollege - Project Description.pdf
Dear Frances,
Thank you again for your support of Cypress College and for alerting us to the funding
available through Representative Lowenthal's office. It is deeply appreciated.
I have submitted our application for the community funding through Congressman
Lowenthal's office, but one of the requirements is a letter of support from our legislative
and/or community partners. The deadline to receive these letters is Monday April 25. I
apologize for the short notice but I would be so grateful if you would be willing to write a
letter on our behalf.
I have attached a sample letter for you to consider, but any level of support is appreciated. All
letters must be sent to Congressman Lowenthal by 5 pm today at
lowenthal.cp@mail.house.gov.. Please put “Community Project Funding 2023 - Cypress
College - Support Material” in the subject line. You may also email your letter to me and I will
be happy to submit on your behalf.
I have also attached our project description and budget so you better understand what we are
requesting.
Below are the weblinks that we have already utilized to request this funding.
Here is the information, links and forms for the community projects funding requests are now live on the
webpage:
https://lowenthal.house.gov/community-projects
And the form is available here (and linked in the above guidance):
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mYITktAiSU2NMHFw1YltmBbCpen-
fBlFlrJCNArC3nJUOFJTSlAxU0c3UVJQMDkwOFFKOVVZVVFKOC4u&web=1&wdLOR=cCB870E71-
14D7-426A-AF62-4E375BA169BC
And for programmatic or language requests:
Lowenthal.House.Gov/Appropriations.
The deadline is Monday, 4/25
Thank you for considering. We appreciate your support!
JoAnna Schilling, Ph.D. (Pronouns: she, her, hers)
President,
Cypress College
(714) 484-7308
jschilling@CypressCollege.edu
CypressCollege.edu
Buen Cypress! We Take This Journey Together.
2021 Equity Champion of Higher Education | Aspen Prize Top 150 U.S. Community College
April 25, 2022
The Honorable Representative Alan Lowenthal
47th Congressional District
12912 Brookhurst St., Suite 360
Garden Grove, CA 92840
lowenthal.cp@mail.house.gov.
Re: Community Project Funding 2023 – Cypress College - Support Material
Dear Congressman Lowenthal:
This letter confirms my office’s commitment to support Cypress College’s Enhancing Veteran
and Military-connected Student Pathways at Cypress College funding application. We join other
community members in providing a letter of support for this application.
Cypress College is strategically positioned to support the veterans and military-affiliated families
in our community. The College has recently completed a Veterans Resource Center that will
serve up to 1500 veterans and their families as they transition from active duty to civilian life.
State funded services for this vulnerable population has always been underfunded and Cypress
College has demonstrated a strong commitment to the veterans it serves; my office has provided
support and commendations for the work being done at Cypress College in support of our local
veterans.
Cypress College has taken a wholistic approach to assisting veterans and this funding will help
augment the counseling, mentorship, mental health support, and interpersonal work that not only
helps its veteran students to succeed in higher education and identify future careers, but will help
provide the necessary emotional support so many veterans require when they leave active
military service. The College currently serves 900 students, one of the highest in the state and is
looking to expand services to 1500 students per year. Their commitment to this population
directly supports the priorities and collaborative partners my office also supports for and within
our community.
On behalf of [insert office name] we are pleased to provide this letter of support for Cypress
College’s request for funding. Please feel free to reach out with questions.
Sincerely,
Cypress College
Request for Funding
Enhancing Veteran and Military-connected Student Pathways at Cypress College
In 2014, voters in the local community passed Measure J, a $574 million dollar bond to
build a new, state-of-the-art VRC at Cypress College. This Veterans Resource Center is now
open and will be serving up to 1500 veterans and military-affiliated families attending Cypress
College. But despite having a beautiful building deigned by, and to serve, our veterans
population, Cypress College has suffered from a lack of resources to properly staff and fund
services for veteran students; the increase of Cypress College’s military-connected students does
not match the minimal funds received to support all students. Although California is home to 116
community colleges; 94 campuses have established a VRC. From those that submitted the initial
request for funding from the state, they received an average of $40,000. Cypress College
received $54,000 during the initial state allocated funds, $56,000 during the second year, and
$100,000 in 2020 and 2021. Therefore, the funds received are mainly directed to implement
services for students with only part-time support.
The proposed Enhancing Veteran and Military-connected Student Pathways at Cypress
College model program will expand support services for our military-connected students by
providing individual case management and services including: a) mental health support; b)
academic advising; c) basic skills training for incoming students; d) book and technology
loans; e) issuance of necessary school supplies; and f) academic and personal workshops. In
continuing the current mentorship model and the additional resources it provides, the Enhancing
Veteran and Military-connected Student Pathways mentorship program will further reach the
remaining students who have not been provided services. This project will target the 900 veteran
students currently on campus as well as seek resources for the additional 600 veterans, for a total
of 1500 students who will be supported with our expansion.
Given the chance to properly execute the workings of this program, the Cypress College
VRC believes that the Enhancing Veteran and Military-connected Student Pathways model
program will best address the academic, financial, physical, and social needs of student veterans
leading to their overall success. The program aims to not only help student veterans succeed
academically but in all aspects of their transition back into the civilian lifestyle.
Thank you for considering the vital partnerships required to support our veteran students
in their transition from military to higher education and civilian life, and to helping Cypress
College provide the critical service required to ensure our veterans don’t just succeed, but
flourish in reaching their educational and career goals. Below is the proposed budget to activate
and support the Enhancing Veteran and Military-connected Student Pathways program until
2024.
Position/Resource Cost Students Served Duration
Coordinator/Counselor $200,000 500 8 semesters
Books/Technology/Supplies $120,000 1500 8 semesters
Success Workshops $25,000 1500 8 semesters
Training/Support $25,000 600 8 semesters
Off campus outreach $50,000 1500 8 semesters
Mental Health Support $80,000 500 8 semesters
Total $500,000 1500 2 years/8 semesters