Riverside Sunrise Rotary Foundation Donates $2,500 to Support RCC Guardian Scholars
Riverside City College’s (RCC) Guardian Scholars program recently received a $2,500 donation from the Riverside Sunrise Rotary Foundation to assist foster youth with unexpected emergency expenses, ensuring they can continue pursuing their educational goals without interruption.
The Guardian Scholars program currently serves more than 375 RCC students who have experienced foster care. The donation will help provide critical resources—such as housing, transportation, and academic support—when students face unforeseen challenges that might otherwise disrupt their studies.
“Community support from organizations like the Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club means the world to our program and to our students,” said Whitney Ortega, Ed.D., Director of Foster and Kinship Care Education Programs at RCC. “This generous organization reached out because they recognized that although our students with foster care experience face unique challenges, they are working hard every day to make their dreams a reality. Their support makes a significant impact.”
On Friday October 24, Jeremy Johnson, RCC Foster Youth Specialist, and Jacob Urias, a current RCC Guardian Scholars student, attended the Rotary Club’s meeting to share stories about the program’s impact and to accept the donation on behalf of the College. Teri Parker, a member of the Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club, presented the award.
The Rotary Club has supported RCC’s Guardian Scholars program in the past through its annual fundraising efforts, and this recent contribution reflects the organization’s continued commitment to fostering educational equity and opportunity.
“We are grateful that the Riverside Sunrise Rotary Club continues to believe in our mission and in the potential of our students,” Johnson added. “Their generosity helps us create a safety net that empowers our scholars to thrive, graduate, and give back to the community that supported them.”
For more information about RCC’s Guardian Scholars program, visit www.rcc.edu/guardianscholars