My Nonprofit Reviews

stickowitz
Review for Ventura College Foundation, Ventura, CA, USA
I attended Ventura College for 5 years as a full time student. That is 9 semesters and 3 summer sessions! I lived in Ventura, which is essentially paradise. There's a cost to living in paradise however, and I wouldn't have been able to support myself and my adolescent daughter while pursuing my dream of becoming an RN, regardless of my 3 part time jobs, without the aid of the Ventura College Foundation. The Foundation staff assisted me through the detailed and sometimes complex process of seeking and applying for scholarships, of which won several. They were a continued source of support and strength and helped me to find donors who also supported my dream of bettering my life and the lives of all I touch.
I came from a place in my life which was riddled with addiction and nearly destroyed me. Thankfully I found strength to overcome that dangerous place when I finally understood that I was created, and desired to enhance the world we share rather than to cause pain and spread sorrow with the selfish, destructive tendencies of addiction. When I completed my time in treatment I found myself influenced by the guidance of a trusted counselor to realize my need to give of myself and touch lives in a positive way through nursing.
I became devoted to the cause and was driven to pursue the goal. It's sometimes daunting to be a full time student, a mom to an adolescent daughter, hold 3 part time jobs, and volunteer weekly. When the foundation staff would see me treading through they were all a source of encouragement and for that I will always be grateful. And they helped me establish a scholarship through the student nurse association on campus so that we too could begin to give back financially.
Currently, after 2 years as an RN, I am a hospice nurse. I get to help ease families through what is potentially the most frightening time in life for most people. I'm finding fulfillment that I never could have anticipated. I honestly don't believe I could have done it without the aid of the Ventura College Foundation. I simply wouldn't have been able to survive financially in nursing school without their help.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I was able to better my life through education without significant financial struggle
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Find ways to help them raise funds so they could touch more lives.
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
How did you find this group?
At Ventura College
What, if any, change in your life has this group encouraged?
They helped me transition from flailing drug addict who had nothing but a dream and a drive into a nurse who gets to help people and bring comfort to lives on a daily basis.