A $25,000 donation from the Our Town Gala, hosted by Mayor David Condon and his wife, Kristin Condon, is helping launch a program to assist with community college education costs for Fairchild families.
“We are so grateful to the Condons for their continuous generosity and to our local, state and national leaders who are working with us to help support education for our Fairchild families,” Community Colleges of Spokane Chancellor Christine Johnson said.
Fairchild Families Forward is a Community Colleges of Spokane Foundation scholarship fund that provides financial support for local Air Force family members and spouses who are continuing their education at Community Colleges of Spokane. Currently about 500 Fairchild servicemembers and their family members are enrolled in the community colleges.
Fairchild Families Forward is one of three community projects selected by the Condons to receive funds from the money raised at the annual gala.
CCS created this new fund after learning that while members of the armed forces have extensive educational resources available to them, it can be difficult for them to cover all expenses associated with college attendance – fees, books, program requirements – and even transportation and child care costs. Enhancing opportunities for spouses with financial support, as well as a providing a package of comprehensive community college services, will increase retention of service people at Fairchild.
“Our Fairchild families support the community every day,” Johnson said. “By providing the encouragement they need to make the next step in their education and career, we can show them that Spokane is a supportive community where the entire family can achieve their dreams.”
In addition to CCS and community leaders who are actively raising money for this education fund, Fairchild Families Forward has the support of four esteemed honorary chairwomen known for their support of our military families. These include US Senator Patty Murray, US Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, State Commerce Director Lisa Brown and Kristen Condon.
The Community Colleges of Spokane has a long history of supporting Fairchild that includes Spokane Falls Community College offering courses both on and off the base through a special memorandum of understanding with Fairchild and Chancellor Christine Johnson serving as an Honorary Commander for Fairchild.
The CCS Foundation exists to support the students and programs of the Community Colleges of Spokane and is proud to host the Fairchild Families Forward Fund. Each year the foundation provides over $500,000 in scholarships provided by hundreds of generous donors.