Youth Science Institute gets grant from Santa Clara County

YSI gets county grant

Santa Clara County recently approved grants for the expansion of two local youth environmental education programs: the Youth Science Institute (YSI) and O’Neill Sea Odyssey (OSO).

The nonprofit YSI  provides hands-on learning to 30,000 students annually through its science summer camps, school and community events, and safaris at its education centers in Alum Rock Park in San Jose; Sanborn County Park in Saratoga and Vasona Lake County Park in Los Gatos.

The $125,000 grant to YSI will expand the organization’s reach and cover both programming and transportation for an estimated 3,987 students.

OSO provides free firsthand marine science learning for 5,000 fourth- through sixth-graders and students with disabilities annually. The $250,000 grant from the county will enable the San Jose-based nonprofit to expand its educational programming to 80 additional classes from under-resourced Santa Clara County schools.

CAA fundraiser

State Sen. Dave Cortese will present the keynote speech at the College of Adaptive Arts’ (CAA) annual Celebration of Inclusive Collegiate Partnerships on Sept. 17, 2-4:30 p.m. at West Valley College in Saratoga.

Cortese, along with West Valley College Chancellor Brad Davis and CAA students AJ Vanderpan and 2020 valedictorian Oliver Motiee, will give personal testimonials on how CAA has impacted their own lives and the community.

The event, which serves as the CAA’s largest fundraiser, will also feature special student performances as well as student-led campus tours.

Cortese recently helped secure a state investment of over $2 million for CAA and noted that its model is one he would like to see adopted onto other college campuses.

The nonprofit CAA provides collegiate education to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It serves more than 224 adult students across nine states.

For tickets and more information about the fundraiser, visit www.collegeofadaptivearts.org.