RESOURCES
Our Foundation provides numerous resources for our Veteran Scholarship Recipients.
EDUCATION
Veterans who receive a VVF Scholarship are required to continue their formal education at LPC towards an Associate Degree in a STEM-related field (Science Technology Engineering Math) and maintain a 2.5 Grade Point Average.
HOUSING
We may provide a nominal housing subsidy for up to 1 year paid directly to the housing provider to relieve financial stress and allow our recipients to focus their attentions on furthering their education.
MENTORING
We facilitate the identification of potential mentors and introductions to individuals who can assist in professional planning, personal and career development throughout the scholarship term and as alumni.
EMPLOYMENT
Depending on the recipient’s physical health and capability, we work with each veteran to help secure appropriate training and employment opportunities.
CAREER & NETWORKING ASSISTANCE
During the scholarship term and as alumni the Valley Veterans Foundation Scholarship, recipients are presented with various networking opportunities to further their career path and can be introduced to prospective employers.
FINANCIAL LITERACY
Access to professional financial planners is available to each VVF recipient at no cost. This can be by request or it may be required by VVF due to financial circumstances of the individual. The planners will help the VVF recipients establish basic budgeting skills and advice designed to help build up their financial worth.
ALUMNI
The Valley Veterans Foundation created the Valley Veterans LinkedIn group to connect with other current and alumni Valley Veteran Scholarship Recipients.
We encourage past and present VVF Recipients to join this group to connect and network with each other, ask and share advice about college and jobs, and keep connected with the LPC Veteran community.
Dennis O’Brien (Treasurer) is a Vietnam-era veteran of the US Air Force Strategic Air Command. He went on to receive is BS and MS in Electrical Engineering on the GI Bill from the University of New Hampshire. Now retired after a 35-year career with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, his time is now dedicated to service to veterans and his community.
Sherry Jensen is the current Executive Director of Valley Veterans Foundation. In her role as Executive Director Sherry supports the Foundation’s efforts to provide financial support and resources for military veterans pursuing not only post-secondary education, but life skills during their transition from military to civilian life. Sherry is actively involved in her community as Veterans of Foreign Wars Service Officer, Toastmasters community activities, and is a full time employee at the VA Palo Alto Office of Facility Planning and Development as a Program Specialist.
Todd Steffan is currently the designated Veterans counselor at Diablo Valley College. He was one of the key individuals who established the Las Positas College Veterans First program 2008/2009 and has served as its coordinator and then promoted to supervisor since inception. . He earned his MA in Career Guidance and Development from California State University – Chico, and a second master’s degree in counseling at San Jose State University. He is well-regarded by the veteran student population, faculty, administration, and community and is well-known among California Community Colleges for his innovative initiatives and tireless advocacy on behalf of our veterans. Mr. Steffan comes from a family of those who served, as his father served in the US Army and his grandfather served in World War I.