Taking a Stand for Students, Thanks to You: Message from the Executive Director - 2024 Annual Report

Sarah Carroll
SVEF Executive Director

You stood up for students.

At a time when Sonoma Valley’s future workers, leaders, and citizens need support more than ever, you strengthened your commitment to children.

This meant that in 2024, you enabled us to deepen our investment in critical programs to support student wellness, academic enrichment and teacher innovation.

Thanks to you, students have the academic support they need to thrive throughout their school years. From  funding fully-subsidized preschool for our community's youngest learners, to covering the cost of college application fees for first-generation college students, you helped eliminate barriers and gave students of all ages the support they needed to soar.

Thanks to you, our network of partnerships with other youth-serving organizations is stronger than ever. Through this collaboration, you provided students with a variety of opportunities for learning and community after school. From music and dance to drivers’ education and money management, Sonoma Valley students learned new skills that broadened their horizons.

Finally, thanks to you, students were able to meet with a counselor or participate in a group support session when they needed help. Research shows that when students have access to mental health resources and get the support they need, they are better able to focus in the classroom, build resilience, and stay on track toward their goals.

As we look ahead to spring and the rest of 2025, the challenges are steep, but our commitment is strong. Thank you for taking a stand for students, and helping ensure a healthy future for our community.

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Sarah Carroll, SVEF Executive Director