Victorville, CA — The Victor Valley College District Foundation (Foundation) is pleased to announce it has been awarded an $80,000 grant from Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation to strengthen the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) at Victor Valley College (VVC). This funding will directly support the academic and career success of student veterans during the 2025–2026 academic year. The Tribe awards grants to support four philanthropic pillars: inspiring future generations through education, empowering lives, fostering healthy and resilient communities, and preserving cultural traditions while supporting Indian Country.
This grant holds deep meaning for Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. At the Foundation’s President’s Circle Luncheon on September 4, 2025, Program Officer Monique Osorio emphasized the Tribe’s enduring commitment to education, stating, “It is the Tribe’s belief that education provides knowledge to excel all people and is the key to creating paths to a better future for generations.” Osorio also highlighted the remarkable legacy of Native American service in the U.S. military, noting that Indigenous peoples have enlisted at disproportionately high rates compared to other populations and have courageously served in every major conflict for over two centuries.
With this award, the Foundation can assist the VRC in expanding its hours of operation to include evenings and Fridays and provide scholarships and emergency aid to alleviate financial pressures.
“This grant ensures our veteran students have the resources, support, and opportunities they deserve to thrive academically and professionally,” said Esteban Peñameza, Program Manager of VVC’s Veterans Resource Center. Kirsten Acosta, Executive Director of the VVC Foundation, added, “Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation has long supported education and community initiatives. We are proud to collaborate with them once again to strengthen services for those who have served our nation.”
This investment not only strengthens the Veterans Resource Center but also reaffirms the college’s commitment to those who have served our nation. By expanding resources and removing barriers, the college is helping veteran students achieve their goals with dignity and confidence. Together with Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the Victor Valley College Foundation is building a stronger community of support for veterans now and for generations to come.
About the Victor Valley College Foundation
The Victor Valley College Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting Victor Valley College and its students. For 50 years, the Foundation has served as the partner for alumni relations, community outreach, and resource development at VVC. To learn more or contribute, visit vvcfoundation.com or find us on Facebook. For information about Victor Valley College and its programs, visit www.vvc.edu.
About Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is a federally recognized Indian tribe located on the San Manuel Indian Reservation near Highland, California. The Tribe, formerly known as the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, proudly reclaims their ancestral name—Yuhaaviatam (pronounced “yu-HAH-vee-ah-tahm”)—honoring the deep-rooted heritage and enduring legacy of their people. Exercising their inherent sovereign right to self-governance, Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation is committed to providing essential services to their citizens by building infrastructure, maintaining civil services, and promoting social, economic, and cultural development.
As the Indigenous people of the San Bernardino highlands, passes, valleys, mountains, and high deserts, the Yuhaaviatam have called this region home since time immemorial and are committed to remaining a productive partner in the San Bernardino region.
For more information, visit sanmanuel-nsn.gov.