By Sheila Corson
The Chronicle

     OMAK – The Wenatchee Valley College at Omak Foundation is celebrating 10 years of growth and changes, most of which have come in the last year.
     It was formed in 2000 because its members and faculty felt the Omak campus didn’t get the same treatment in funding and educational opportunities as the Wenatchee campus. Gifts given to support Omak were funneled through a Wenatchee-based foundation, and didn’t always make their way back to Omak, said those involved.
     Now donors can know exactly where their money is going and can designate it for specific purposes, Foundation President Steve Chervinskas said.
     The foundation now offers 20 scholarships each year - one at $2,500, two at $1,250, one at $1,000 and the rest at $500.
     The 10 faculty members all donated $100 each to make the newest $1,000 Wini Voelckers scholarship, honoring the former dean and current board member. Its first recipient will be announced this spring.
     The foundation also has a fund for needy students that provides gas cards, book money or other emergency needs. In its three years, the fund has given $13,500 in gas vouchers, Chervinskas said.
     The foundation also gave $5,000 for the nursing lab, $10,000 for the medical technology program, $5,000 for welding equipment at Omak High School and purchased buildings to lease back to the college.
     Last year, the foundation’s assets increased almost four-fold, Chervinskas said. As Okanogan Regional Home Health and Hospice closed down, it donated $225,000 to the foundation to help the nursing program.
     Another $25,000-$40,000 is expected to close out the agency in September. Okanogan Regional Home Health and Hospice was purchased in 2008 by Amedisys Inc.
     Nurses for Tomorrow of Wenatchee Valley Clinic provided another $80,000 to keep the nursing program functioning after budget cuts made its future unclear.
     The majority of the foundation’s assets were placed with the Community Foundation of North Central Washington last year in three separate endowments – Health and Hospice, Nurses for Tomorrow and the Berg fund, Chervinskas said. Doing so ensures maximum returns and successful management.
     Establishment of an alumni association, which will be a function of the college, is the foundation's latest project. Chervinskas said he split up the duties to contact the 2,500 known graduates among foundation board members.
     With the economy the way it is, community colleges are playing a key role in recovery. Four-year schools are often too expensive for people needing to get training for a new job, Chervinskas said.
     Enrollment at the Omak campus is up 19 percent this school year.
     The demographics of the area present even more challenges, but Chervinskas said the foundation will be there to help students achieve their goals.
     Whatever the college envisions for its future, Chervinskas said the foundation will be a part of it. Whether that means more buildings or equipment or scholarships is unknown.
     Chervinskas said his biggest goal before stepping down in April is to begin a strong relationship with the Confederated Colville Tribes, which is currently looking into starting its own college. He said he hopes the two groups can work together to pool resources and maximize benefits.