February 5, 2026
Woodland Community College has received a $41,000 grant from the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Community Fund, supporting foster and kinship youth across Yolo County with access to technology, education and life-skills mentoring. The grant will strengthen the College’s Foster & Kinship Care Education (FKCE) and Independent Living Programs (ILP), which serve youth impacted by the child welfare and dependency system.
For students like Yvonne Hampton, the support is life-changing. A former foster youth, Hampton received a laptop through the program after graduating from high school and now uses it daily as a student at California State University, San Marcos, where she is pursuing a degree in engineering.
The funding expands access to essential technology, trauma-informed educational mentoring, life-skills development, and graduation support for transitional-age foster youth and non-minor dependents, ages 14 to 21. These young people often face significant barriers to success, including academic disruption, housing instability, and limited access to reliable technology and consistent adult guidance.
“This investment reflects the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation’s deep commitment to education, equity, and community well-being,” said Lize_e Navare_e, president of WCC. “By supporting foster and kinship youth during some of the most pivotal years of their lives, this partnership helps ensure students have the tools, encouragement, and opportunities they need to persist in school and build strong futures.”
“This gift is more than financial support—it is a powerful statement of belief in our youth,” said Cherie Schroeder, director of the Independent Living Program at WCC. “The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Community Fund and Tribal Members are helping us bridge the digital divide, strengthen educational pathways, and affirm the dignity and potential of young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Their generosity is truly changing lives.”
According to a press release, grant funds will be used to:
- Provide laptops to graduating high school and college students to support continued education and workforce readiness.
- Support trauma-informed instructors and mentors who assist youth with college and financial aid applications, housing navigation, financial literacy, and career planning.
- Offer education on the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and Native American history, fostering cultural understanding, identity, and advocacy.
- Celebrate youth achievement through a graduation ceremony and educational awards recognizing resilience and perseverance.
Technology access remains critical for foster youth, particularly as reductions in federal internet support have deepened existing inequities. Reliable devices, paired with consistent mentoring, help ensure continuity in education, connection to support services, and long-term stability.
“Having consistent and reliable access to technology—along with community support— helped me navigate my time as a foster teen,” said Hampton. “I was mentored and encouraged to pursue higher education, and I began my college journey with confidence.”
Woodland Community College is deeply grateful to the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation for standing alongside foster and kinship youth and helping to open wider doors to their future. The College’s Foster & Kinship Care Education and Independent Living Programs have a long-standing record of improving educational outcomes, increasing college enrollment, and supporting successful transitions to adulthood. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to community strength, cultural respect, and generational healing.