Inspiring Stories

My name is Maleny Mancillas. I was born on October 2 of 1993, in Sinaloa, Mexico; and lived there until fifteen years of age. I am the third of four children born from Maria and Martin Mancillas. I went to elementary school at Gregorio Torres of El Espinal Sinaloa, from 2000 to 2006, always showing excellent behavior and academic excellence, Then, I went to middle school from 2006 to 2009 at Secundaria Tecnica # 49. During my studies at this institution, I developed skills to the best student in spelling and I participated in several academic competitions such as Hispanic Spelling. When I finished the middle school, my parents decided to move to the United States. This situation was very difficult for me, but I had to accept it. Nevertheless, the move to this country was the best option, so we could be with my father because he works here for better job opportunities. Another reason that motivated me to move was the better educational opportunities that this country provides. On May 14 of 2009, I first arrived the U.S. into the Fred Young Labor Center; a low income farm worker community in which students are constantly battling gang influence, illegal drug activity, domestic violence and homeless. Yet, despite all these barriers I managed to succeed educationally, emotionally and socially. After a month of living in Indio, CA. I started going to Fred Young Kids Club. At first, my parents forced me to go to socialize, but after a while I went because I liked it and so began to perform community service at the Kids Club. For me serving to the community is a pleasure, it motivates me and makes me feel great. In Kids Club I had the opportunity to meet great people like Barbara Cordero, Rosa Castillo, Gina Alaniz, Lily Avina and Gina Morales who always supported me throughout. I August 2009, I entered to Indio High School, to fulfill my basic media studies. During my stay at IHS they told me that I probably would not be able to get my Diploma and I would need to stay there a fifth year. However, I proved them wrong by getting a 3.75 GPA and passing the CAHSEE tests in my junior year. In the summer of 2010, I was selected to participate in the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership Project (CLYLP) by the CA State Senate. Being a member of CLYLP was a great experience which helped me to grow academically and emotionally. On June 2 of 2011, I was graduated from Indio High School. I am now in my first semester at College of the Desert studying Communications. I want to continue my education because I experienced what my parents have suffered for not having had the opportunity to study. I do not want to spend my life working in the fields like them. My goal in life is finish to studying Communications and work for TV industry. I want for my parents to feel proud of me see that all their efforts for giving me education have been worthwhile. Thank you so much for the scholarship, it helped me buy my books and pay for my classes at college.


Maleny Mancillas

Dear Sherri Van Dorn/Indio Task Force

First and foremost I would like to introduce myself. My name is Ritchie Chicas. I would like to thank you for the scholarship money that I have been awarded. This money brings me not only a huge amount of happiness and pride, but also a great financial relief. I will use this money for my books. I cannot help it but to be grateful for this investment towards my future, and as I get older I will remember help that I received. Thank you.

Sincerely
Ritchie Chicas

Dear Sherri Van Dorn/Indio Task Force

I would like to personally thank you for selecting me to receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Indio Youth Task Force. I really appreciate you taking the time and money for giving scholarships to students like me. It is amazing the amount of money that you are giving students. I am proud to be living in the city of Indio because I feel like I don’t stand alone and I have role models/supporters like you! Thanks to you an helpful people like you, I am able to follow my dreams and attend college like I always dreamed of. In 2011 fall I will be attending UC Merced! I plan on pursuing a career in medicine. Specifically I want to be a pediatrician, I love children and plan on healing everyone. Hopefully, my dreams come true and I graduate college and come back to my hometown, Indio, and help my community just like you did. If there is anything I can help you with or you need me for any reason, feel free to contact me. Thank you so much!

Much love always,
Lizette De La Rosa

Dear Indio Youth Task Force Members

On behalf of Dr. Carreon Academy 5th grade students and staff, we would like to thank you for your generous grant which funded our field trip for a college campus tour to University of California, Riverside (UCR). The college campus tour was a wonderful educational experience for our students and a great success. The field trip to UCR exposed students to university life, but most importantly encouraged students to begin setting goals to pursue a higher education.

The students took a campus tour led by university students and viewed the Tomas Rivera Library, academic departments, UCR Bell Tower, and Highlander Union Building. Students also participated in a student led session in which a university student talked about the many UCR programs available for potential college students such as undergraduate programs and various majors, campus, resources, extracurricular activities such as sports and clubs, course schedules, student living, scholarships and financial aid.

In addition, the UCR Medical Scholars Program conducted a presentation for our students about their program and biomedical sciences department. The Medical Scholars Program invited university students from their program to discuss their academic paths in biomedical sciences followed by a discussion on their career paths they have chosen in the medical field.

The students truly enjoyed this trip and commented on the fantastic time they had. The 5th grade students at Dr. Carreon Academy will benefit from your grant both now and in the future.

Again, thank you for supporting our UCR field trip.

Sincerely,
Regina Heredia
Principal
Dr. Carreon Academy

Astria Cota
School Counselor
Dr. Carreon Academy

Dear Board Members,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and Indio Youth Task Force for the $750 mini-grant to support one of our Indio Insight Scholars. This scholarship will be awarded shortly to an Indio student who has a disability and is continuing their education beyond high school.

We truly appreciate your support as we continue to strive to support our youth with disabilities and encourage their ongoing education.

Sincerest appreciation,
Judy A. May

Dear Harry,

Last week the Indio Youth Task Force allowed me to make a board meeting presentation regarding a funding shortfall for Phase I of a remodel on our 45 year old Indio clubhouse. This phase will include a new roof on the facility, all new air conditioning and a complete remodel of our gymnasium, and current state of the building makes it very important that we be able to complete all of these elements. As a result, at yesterday’s general meeting the Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley was awarded $50,000 (Check#6164 for $25,000 and check#6165 for $25,000, both dated May 24, 2011).

This donation, in addition to a Community Development Block Grant from the City of Indio and LA84 Foundation grant that we anticipate getting, will allow us to begin construction immediately and (thanks to the Indio Youth Task Force Expediting the approval process) it should be completed in time for the opening of our popular summer program.

Harry,, we are so appreciative of the generosity and support that the Indio Youth Task Force has provided over the years. Our shared goal of providing the youth of Indio with quality programs, which we provide in a safe environment, will be well served with this contribution. Please extend our thanks to the rest of the board, also.

Sincerely,
Jim Ducatte
Chief Executive Officer
JD/mu

Dear Sherri Van Dorn,

Thank you very much for the donation. It is very helpful towards my account. Thank you; the mini grant will help me with attending my cheer equipment

Mollie Buchanan

Dear Indio Youth Task Force,

Thank you so much for choosing me as one of the recipients for your scholarship. It really means so much to me. Thank you for taking the time to care about the students in your community because without you, we wouldn’t be a successful as we are. After I graduate from high school, I am going to attend Cal. State North clge and major in kinesiology. Since, I didn’t receive any money from FAFSA, it really means a lot to me that I got your Scholarship. Once again thank you so much.

With much gratitude,
Chalanedra Polk.

Dear Indio Youth Task Force & Sherry van Dorn,

Thank you very much for giving me your scholarship. It means so much to me. Your generosity has not only attended me but my whole family as well. Thanks to you, you have helped me pay for my tuition at the University of Redlands where I will be majoring in Biological Science. My dream is to graduate with a doctorate and pursue a career in the medical field. I plan to become a physician or a surgeon and you have helped me reach that goal and have given me hope. Once again, thanks for all your help and considering me for your scholarship. Please let me know what is the next step in receiving this scholarship.

-Very respectfully
Jordon A. Castellans

Dear Indio Youth Task Force,

I thank you very much for awarding me my 1,000 scholarship. I gladly appreciate this award, that will greatly influence my to attend a far year university: University of California Riverside with this money. I will be able to the first female in my family to attend a college, I will also be the first to attend and finish a far year university. I know my parents and I will surely benefit from this gift of years in the future. Know this time period the economy is really bad, these 1,000 dollars are a grand gift. I again thank you, along with my family for your award.

Sincerely,
Lgitt Gzlay

Dear Harry,

Thank you for your recent donation of $2,000 that was designated for the college of the desert Auxiliary Golf Tournament on May 5, 2011.

Your donation, along with the gifts of others, made our event a financial success. The funds raised will provide scholarships and support to deserving culinary arts students attending COD from throughout the Coachella Valley.

Once again, thank you for your generosity and friendship.

Sincerely,
Colleen McBride
Director Of Development

Cc: Joanne Padgham, CFO, CPA, College of the Desert Foundation

This receipt is not an indicator of value or condition of the items received. No goods or services were rendered in exchange for this gift.

Dear Mr. Munoz,

I would like to thank you and tell you how grateful I am for receiving the award from the Indio Youth Task Force. Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication and I was not able to attend the awards event. Nevertheless, I am very proud to have been selected by the committee. I plan on attending Xavier High School next year and this award will be very helpful. Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Scarlett Thomas Sanchez

Dear Indio Youth Task Force,

My name is Jacqueline Perez and I am one of the several Indio High School students to have received a scholarship. I am sure several highly qualified students applied and I thank you for considering me as one of the many recipients. I am very grateful for receiving the scholarship because attending UC Riverside and paying it off now seems more realistic. I.T.Y.F, thank you very much for all your hard work and for helping make the dreams of many high school seniors come true. I will work my hardest to take full advantage of my education at UC Riverside and please rest assured this scholarship money will go to good use. I hope the Indio Youth Task Force will continue their wonderful help at helping Indio’s youth achieve their dreams.

Thank you very much,
Jacqueline Perez

Dear Indio Youth Task Force,

First off I want to say thank you so much for selecting me as one of the recipients of your scholarship, it is such an honor. This money is gonna help me pay off the remaining balance of my first years tuition. I can’t express how grateful I am to have gotten this award. I am attending the university of Laverne & I am going to major in communications. So may be on day you will see me on TV of hear my radio show. I thank you for seeing in me what everyone else sees as well. You guys help people like me wanting to further my education & make my dreams come true.

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

Sincerely
Emily E Monow

To whom it may concern

I would like to personally thank you for the scholarship. I want to study in criminal justice so this scholarship means a lot to me! Hopefully in a few years I will be one of your co-workers LOL!

Well Thank you again

Always
Crystina Magcina

Dear: Indio youth Task force

II would like to thank you of the great contribution; I have received from your great organization. Your contribution will have me pay for classes and books at College of the Desert, where I am planning to attend this fall. I am planning to study in the science field. My career goals are as of yet undecided but the money I have received from you will help me on my way to my future. I am very grateful for the money I have received.

Sincerely
Hunter Preston

Dear Indio Youth Task Force,

This letter is to deeply thank everyone who made it possible for me to receive this scholarship. It is a true blessing for my Mom and I.

Sincerely,
Jazmin Manichean

Dear Sherry Van Dorn,

I want to thank you so much for making me Zoll scholarship recipients. You have made a difference in my life. When I found out I was a recipients of your scholarship, you made my day. I finally felt like someone was recognizing my hard work and dedication. Although I’m not the smartest person in my class, I do have big dreams and work hard to achieve them. My goal is to attend California State University Los Angles and major in social work. For me, getting this scholarship is like a boost to work even harder to achieve my goals. It makes me feel like I have to work harder than I already do. Getting this scholarship makes me realize my string desire to become someone in life. With the aid of this scholarship, I can finally work towards getting what I always have dreamed about. My family has always told me that I had what it takes to be someone important, but I never thought I did, until now. I can’t find the words to explain to you how thankful I really am and how much of a difference you have made in my life. Thank you for even taking the time to look at my application. I will do my best to represent the Indio Youth Task Force recipients as outstanding people. Whether it’d be in my school or mu community, I will try to make difference like you have done. Thank you for this extremely generous contribution towards making my dream of an education possible. I feel honored to be a recipient of your scholarship program. Once again thank you.

Sincerely,
Celia Stephanie Tavares Navarro

Dear Sherry Van Dorn,

I would like to thank you and the Indio Task Force for electing me for this scholarship. I greatly appreciate your gratitude, since this scholarship will go towards my tuition fee at the University of Montana. Your scholarship will help me and my family finances my education. Something that my family and I give our thanks to. Once again it is a tremendous honor to receive this scholarship and thank you.

Sincerely,
Azucena Martinez

Dear Indio Youth Task Force,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to achieve my dreams. I greatly appreciate it. I cannot put into words how much your contribution to my education means to my family and I. I can only hope to repay you some day by completing my education and getting a degree that will allow me to give back to the community. Thank you ever so much I will do my best to make you proud.

Sincerely,
Alemi D Lopez