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No limits: Menlo Park startup helps remove barriers to college for local minority students

by Marjorie Mader

The Peninsula College Fund, a nonprofit startup based in Menlo Park, is at work providing four-year college scholarships — as well as mentoring and internships — to motivated minority students.

"We are increasingly aware of the depth of the need for these scholarships by deserving minority students on the Midpeninsula," said founder Charles Schmuck, who lives in Menlo Park.

The fund targets talented, motivated and gifted Midpeninsula minority students who primarily live in east Menlo Park, East Palo Alto and Redwood City, and are often overlooked by other scholarship programs, said Mr. Schmuck. Many are first generation college students.

"We believe that these students with GPAs of 3.3 to 3.9 should not be limited in their education by personal financial circumstances," he said.

The fund provides them with a $3,000 scholarship for each of their four undergraduate years, as well as mentors and summer internships to help them achieve their short- and long-term educational goals. The scholarship money may be used for tuition and books, but also for transportation and the purchase of a computer and clothing.

In the fund's first two years, 10 scholarships have been awarded to high school graduates from Menlo-Atherton, Woodside High, Eastside College Preparatory, and East Palo Alto Academy. The students are studying and thriving at four University of California campuses — Berkeley, Los Angeles, Davis and Santa Cruz — as well as at San Jose State and Mills College.

This year, the program is expanding its reach to seek applicants from Summit Preparatory Charter High School in Redwood City. Last year, it added Woodside High and awarded scholarships to two graduating seniors there.

"Scholarship funds certainly are important, but having your own mentor and opportunities for internships during the summer are invaluable," said Miriam Noriega, now a sophomore at Mills College.

She spent the summer working with the Peninsula Bridge Program as a counselor at Castilleja School in Palo Alto. She also kept in touch with a 2007 scholarship winner, Jessica Vasquez, who also decided to go to Mills.

Mr. Schmuck, the founder of the fund and a social studies teacher at Presentation High School in San Jose, said he was raised on the Peninsula "in a very good situation with a strong family, good education and many opportunities."

Starting the college fund in 2005 was his way of giving back to those in the community who aren't as fortunate, he said.

He also was moved by his older brother, Dr. James London, an orthopedic surgeon who seven years ago founded the South Central Gifted Scholar Fund in Los Angeles County that now benefits 325 kids.

The Peninsula fund, Mr. Schmuck said, is based on that fund, plus two others: the Meritus College Fund of San Francisco and the East Bay College Fund in Oakland.

Financial contributions come mostly from individuals, families or groups of friends who decide to sponsor a student.

Overhead costs are at a minimum. Mr. Schmuck handles the administration of the fund from his home in Menlo Park. Board meetings often take place informally at the Plantation coffee shop on the Alameda de las Pulgas in West Menlo Park. Volunteers pitch in to help with special events and mailings.

"Charles is passionate about what he's doing, has a vision and strong leadership skills," said Les DeWitt of Atherton, who has a long involvement with good causes such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula and the Peninsula Bridge program. "He's basically doing all the right things."

Mr. DeWitt, a member of the Peninsula College Fund's board of directors, also is a mentor to scholarship winner Luis Pimentel, a June graduate of M-A who is now studying at UC Santa Cruz. "The mentoring part of the program is a really valuable asset for the kids," he emphasized.

Chris Bischof, founder of Eastside College Preparatory School, said that with the mentoring, summer internships, and financial support, "students will realize they have a lot of support to help them be successful in college and beyond."

The fund's goal for 2008 is to raise $120,000 to fully fund 10 more scholarship winners for their four years in college.

How to get involved

The key to success is involving community members in the program, said Mr. Schmuck.

There are many ways to help. For example, he said, individuals or small groups can form a team to sponsor a scholarship winner by contributing $12,000 and supporting the student for four years, including mentoring the student through those college years.

Other ways to help: review scholarship applications, beginning in March; interview prospective candidates in April; mentor a scholarship winner; offer summer internships; and provide a summer job for students who are looking to learn, contribute and make some needed income.

Contributions to the Peninsula College Fund should be made payable to: Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, 1222 Preservation Way, Oakland, CA 94612-1201.

Bill Sommerville, formerly head of the Peninsula Community Foundation and now at the helm of Philanthropic Ventures, is handling the financial administration of the college fund. All contributions are 100 percent tax-deductible and go to student scholarships, he said.

The day-to-day operation of the college fund is handled by volunteers, including founding members Francesca Eastman of Atherton, Phil Ekedahl of Menlo Park, Joan Harlem of Woodside, and Mike Hawkes of Santa Clara; and advisory committee members Kathy Hawkes and Greg Stern, both of Menlo Park.

INFORMATION

For more information about the nonprofit Peninsula College Fund and how to get involved, check www.peninsulacollegefund.org; send an e-mail to founder Charles Schmuck at cschmuck@pacbell.net; or call him at 561-9534.