(Santa Ana)—Santa Ana College’s Soldiers to Scholars Wine Tasting held on December 5, 2013, raised $20,000 to provide needed services for the college’s student veterans. These students, many of whom feel marginalized and uncertain as they adjust to civilian and college life, turn to Santa Ana College’s Veterans Resource Center for necessary support.

“The success of this event supporting our student veterans was made possible through many community partners who gave back to these brave men and women who so valiantly served our country,” said Erlinda J. Martinez, Ed.D., Santa Ana College president.  “Because of the community’s enthusiastic support $197,000 has been raised since 2010 to support the college’s Veterans Resource Center.”

Santa Ana College acknowledges the sponsors that made this event possible. They include Bank of the West Commercial Banking for its generous donation of $5,000,  Memphis Café for underwriting all the food served, and Madeline and Ronnie Grant for providing the wine sampled.

“Memphis Café is enthusiastic about supporting Soldiers to Scholars as it allows us to help local men and women who served our nation. We thank them for making a difference and hope this donation assists them in the next chapter in their lives,” said Diego Velasco, owner of Memphis at the Santora.

Santa Ana College’s Veterans Resource Center (VRC) provides the following services:

• Access to a Certifying Official to assist veterans with accessing Veterans Assistance (VA) educational benefits,
• Specialized academic counseling to develop educational plans to meet VA benefit requirements,
• Customized orientation and academic skills workshops for veterans, and
• Quiet study area with access to computers, the Internet and a printer.

Other programs and services available to veterans through the VRC include: priority registration, accommodations for veterans with disabilities, distance learning, Board of Governors fee waivers, in-state tuition waivers, access to the college's child development centers, work study/campus job opportunities, and health and wellness services. The 'Drop Zone,' a collaboration between SAC and the County of Orange Health Care Agency,  provides transitional counseling and support through individual and group programs, case management, and access to local services that help veterans as they begin their new lives after military service.

For more information on services to student veterans, contact the Santa Ana College Veterans Resource Center at (714) 564-6050 or www.sac.edu/vrc.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which will turn 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, provides invaluable workforce training, and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 10,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District. Visit www.sac.edu to learn more.