>> Many of us take for granted

that our children will have
a chance to attend college.

But for many kids in the
San Bernardino region,

the expense of college
is one obstacle

that stands in their way.

Valley Bound Commitment
removes that financial barrier

by providing a free first year

at San Bernardino
Valley College.

[ Music ]

>> I just thought,
wow, you know,

he sounds pretty motivated now

after hearing about
this program.

>> Obviously friends growing
up didn't think I was going

to make it and proved
everybody wrong.

>> I came to San
Bernardino Valley College

as a new president, and
three things struck me

when I moved to this area.

One is the dire straits that the
community was in economically.

And the second thing is the
high high school dropout rate

in the area and to
go along with that,

also the very low
college going rate.

And so how do you impact that?

How do you change
that kind of cycle?

>> The Valley Bound Commitment
program covers all enrollment

fees and textbooks for
a participating student

in their first full year
at San Bernardino College.

By taking away economic
barriers to education,

the student can focus
on their studies

and build a platform
for future success.

>> We as people say,
are the future.

So if people invest in us,

we will help support the
future and we get brighter.

My point of view was
always I always wanted

to do something better for
myself, not only for myself

but even for my community.

I am someone who can
say I was from culture

and I did come from successful.

And that's what I want
to show to other people.

>> Our teachers, administrators,
they also understand the value

of an education and they want
the best for our students.

And so they're really
encouraging

that students should
apply to Valley Bound.

>> I think the best thing
about this program is

that students are being
able to fulfill their dream.

Yes, the students are getting a
free education the first year,

but they're also being
able to reach their goals.

And some of these
students have goals

that require a college
education.

>> The program is funded

by the San Bernardino Valley
College Foundation entirely

through support from individual
and community donations,

as well as grant funding.

>> Being in the Valley
Bound Commitment program,

it has made it way easier
because they pay for everything

and all they ask for you is
to give back to the community

and just have good
grades and have a 2.0.

So it was really good for me.

>> Community is very important
to Valley Bound Commitment,

because the community helps
us get to where we need to.

If it wasn't for the community

of San Bernardino I
probably wouldn't be here.

I don't know what I would
be doing, and I feel a sense

of obligation to give
back to my community.

>> The Valley Bound Commitment
program is changing lives

and strengthening our
community one family at a time.

By tearing down the obstacles to
get to college, we are building

up the next generation of
leaders for future success.

>> Thank you, Valley
Bound Community!

[ Applause ]