Van Buren County Community Foundation Supports Career and College Readiness

OTTUMWA, IOWA (May 1, 2014) — The Iowa College Access Network (ICAN) is pleased to announce it has received a grant from the Van Buren County Community Foundation to support college and career readiness programming as part of its Iowa County College Access Initiative.

The Van Buren County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Great River Bend and was established to build community endowments, be a resource for a broad range of community needs including arts and culture, education, health and human services, and historic preservation, and to assist donors in creating a variety of giving options.

In its first year, the Iowa County College Access Initiative will bring college planning and financial aid information and resources into the Van Buren County communities to inform high school students and parents of the steps required to achieve their educational goals. With services provided through ICAN, the initiative will serve more than 1,000 individuals including: students, parents, and educators through a partnership with the high schools in Van Buren County including Harmony High School and Van Buren Jr-Sr High School.

“ICAN programs are unique in the respect that they are brought into individual communities and provide face-to-face presentations and one-on-one advice to students in the communities in which they reside,” explained Rob Miller, ICAN executive director. “This grant enables that interaction to happen without requiring families to travel for professional advice. For some families traveling for assistance isn’t possible and the community foundation grant allows ICAN to continue serving these families where they live.”

In an effort to empower students with the understanding that higher education is accessible to everyone, the Van Buren County Initiative is part of a wider effort by ICAN to reach every middle- and high school and every student in Iowa to better prepare students for college and the workforce. According to Complete College America, more than 60 percent of Iowa jobs will require a college education by 2020.

“Education and training beyond high school is necessity for long-term success in the ever-changing job market,” explained Miller. “This grant enables ICAN to continue meeting the needs of Iowa students.”

ICAN, a nonprofit organization providing career and college readiness planning to students and parents in Iowa, has been educating and empowering Iowa’s future workforce since 1998.

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About ICAN
The Iowa College Access Network is a nonprofit, educational organization. ICAN is the College Access Network for Iowa, and a member of the National College Access Network (NCAN). ICAN has eight locations in Ankeny, Cedar Rapids, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Orange City, Ottumwa, Sioux City and Waterloo, which provide information and support to students and their families as they plan their postsecondary education and apply for financial aid. All ICAN programs and services are provided without charge. For more information about ICAN, call (877) 272-4692 or visit www.ICANsucceed.org.

About the Van Buren County Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Van Buren County is a charitable foundation created by and for the citizens of Van Buren County. It was formed in 2005 as an affiliate of the Community Foundation of Great River Bend. The founding members of the organization had a vision to ensure that our communities' charitable programs were supported now - and in the future. The foundation works together with many individuals, families, businesses, and organizations to establish endowed funds that will provide grant awards for years to come. For more information visit http://www.iowacommunityfoundations.org/community-foundation-of-van-buren-county.aspx.