UC Merced-led WE Will! Awards $14.2 Million to Education, Health Partners

UC Merced-led WE Will! Workforce and Education Collaborative has awarded an additional $4.2 million to education and healthcare partners in Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.

A total of 21 health care and education projects focusing on "recovery with equity" initiatives received funding in the second round.

"Through collaborative efforts with educational institutions and industry leaders, we are driving meaningful changes that align educational pathways with workforce needs, ensuring that all students have access to the skills and opportunities they need to succeed," said McKenna Salazar, executive director of the Office of K-20 Regional Alliances & WE Will! K-16 Educational Collaborative. "These partnerships are about fostering lasting relationships and empowering the next generation with sustainable, high-demand career pathways that strengthen our regional community."

Recipients and their awarded amounts are:

• $200,000 - Adventist Health - System West
• $200,000 - CSU Stanislaus
• $200,000 - Escalon High School
• $200,000 - Gustine Unified School District
• $200,000 - Improve Your Tomorrow
• $200,000 - Merced City School District
• $200,000 - Merced County Office of Education
• $197,237 - Merced County ROP
• $200,000 - Merced Union High School District
• $198,010 - Mercy Medical Center Merced
• $200,000 - Modesto Junior College - Project A
• $200,000 - Modesto Junior College - Project B
• $200,000 - San Joaquin County Office of Education
• $200,000 - San Joaquin Delta College - Project A
• $200,000 - San Joaquin Delta College - Project B
• $200,000 - Expanding Equitable Access for Psychiatric Technician Students - San Joaquin Delta College
• $200,000 - Seity Health
• $200,000 - Stockton Unified School District
• $200,000 - Teachers College of San Joaquin
• $199,999 - UC Merced CalTeach
• $200,000 - UC Merced Center for Educational Partnerships
• $199,994 - University of The Pacific

Earlier this year, WE Will! granted $10 million in awards to 19 community and education partners across 30 projects in the tri-county region. Funding for the subgrants was made possible after WE Will! was awarded $18.1 million in November 2023 by the California Department of General Services as part of the K-16 Education Collaborative Grant Program.

WE Will! addresses systemic barriers and bridges educational gaps for underrepresented students within the Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties. Through collaborative intersegmental efforts, WE Will! empowers all students with the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary to thrive in critical workforce sectors.