The Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) estimates that there are more than 1,500 children and youth in Placer County who lack adequate nighttime residences, placing them at increased risk for poor social, emotional, and physical wellness. An infusion of charitable dollars from Placer Community Foundation (PCF) is giving PCOE’s McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Program a needed boost, supporting a variety of resources that will support and prepare vulnerable youth for success ahead of the next school year.
The grant to PCOE totals $10,000 and was spurred by a donation from CORE Construction’s new corporate donor advised fund at PCF. Along with matching funds by another donor at the community foundation, the charitable dollars will provide essential supplies and other basic needs for homeless youth such as backpacks, clothing, hygiene kits, hair cut vouchers and grocery gift cards.
“We are proud to begin our charitable work supporting youth in Placer County. Thanks to PCF’s guidance, we know that our first community grant will go a long way to support students who need our help,” says Seth Maurer, president at CORE Construction.
Financial hardship due to the pandemic has increased the prevalence of homeless children and youth who live in hotels, trailer parks, shelters, or in cars, parks, public spaces, or substandard housing. The Placer County Office of Education’s Educational Services Department provides support and resources to the 18 school districts in the county and county-wide charter schools. PCOE’s staff have worked diligently over the past year to meet the demand and deliver services in new, creative and safe ways.
“Having this generous support from CORE Construction and the community foundation is going to increase the reach and support we provide to at-risk youth. Meeting basic needs has an exponential effect on a student’s wellness, resilience and life-long educational outcomes.” Alicia Rozum, coordinator for PCOE’s McKinney-Vento program.
The homeless youth grants are part of PCF’s on-going COVID-19 response. The community foundation directs funds based on in-depth knowledge of community needs and where charitable dollars can be maximized for impact.
About Placer County Office of Education
Nestled in the Sierra Foothills, Placer County Office of Education (PCOE) serves nearly 75,000 students in school districts across Placer County. In order to serve the students of Placer County, PCOE provides an array of programs and service to meet student needs. This task is accomplished by providing high-quality specialized programs for students; recruiting, retaining and developing highly qualified staff; and monitoring fiscal accountability and expenditures of our tax dollars. For more information, please visit www.placercoe.org.
About Core Construction
Founded in 1937, CORE is a leading national general contractor that focuses on the public sector including municipal, healthcare, public safety, K-12, and higher education projects. CORE employs approximately 1,200 employees nationally and has offices in 9 states, recently opening their newest office at 11601 Blocker Drive in Auburn, CA. Regularly placing in the top 5 of Engineering News Record’s (ENR) largest K-12 builders in the nation, CORE is particularly passionate about building for education and playing a part in developing safe, creative and efficient learning environments for our youth. CORE’s Auburn office is led by Vice President, Matt Wade and Regional Director, Nicholas Maurer.
About Placer Community Foundation
Placer Community Foundation (PCF) grows local giving to strengthen our community by connecting donors who care with causes that matter. Known for sound financial management and knowledge of the nonprofit sector, the Community Foundation continually monitors the region to better understand the nature of local needs, so that it can invest in areas such as arts and culture, education, health and human services, animals and the environment.
The new CORE Construction Fund for Youth at PCF aptly connects the general contractor’s 84-year focus on the public sector including K-12 and higher education projects, with their company’s culture of giving back.
CORE is particularly passionate about building for education and playing a part in developing safe, creative and efficient learning environments for youth. They reached out to PCF following the recent opening of their newest office in Auburn.
CORE’s initial focus for the fund is to support programs that help youth experiencing homelessness. Their first grant went to Placer County Office of Education to support their Homeless Resource Faire, which is held before each school year. Families in need receive school supplies, haircuts, clothing, food and services.
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