Stanbridge College is pleased to announce its Spring Vocational Nursing Career Fair on Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Stanbridge College’s Vocational Nursing students and alumni will be able to network with over 30 Southern California Healthcare employers. Attendees will be able to meet potential employers, explore new career opportunities and gather advice on what skills and qualities employers are looking for in future employees.

Career Fair details:

Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Time: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Location: Stanbridge College

Continue to Network

Are you a Stanbridge College graduate looking to network online? Join the Stanbridge College Alumni Groups on LinkedIn and get access to multiple resources including job search preparation, Alumni Workshop information and communication with professionals in your field.

To visit and join, please click here:  Stanbridge College Alumni Network

For more information on Stanbridge College Career Services call 714-949-9090 or visit www.stanbridge.edu.

Project Hope School student sitting on an exercise ball in the Therapy Skills Lab, while PTA Program Director Dr. Scott Bennie, explains how physical therapists use them to aid patient mobility.

At Stanbridge, the students were able to learn about different college and career options as they listened to presentations from faculty and staff in the IT, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapist Assistant programs and the Career Services department. This tour is the second field trip that Stanbridge College has hosted for the children of Project Hope School.

During the tour, the Project Hope School students were able to explore IT classrooms and Healthcare Skills Labs on campus. In the Nursing Skills Lab, the kids were in awe as each one felt the pulse and listened to the heart beat of one of the many life-like nursing simulation mannequins. Members of the nursing staff demonstrated how Stanbridge students use these mannequins to learn clinical skills and bedside care. In addition to heart rates, the mannequins simulate breathing sounds, birthing, catheterization, tracheotomy care and other bodily functions and medical situations.

In the Therapy Skills Labs, the students learned about the Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) programs. OTA Program Director, Satch Purcell had a student volunteer help him demonstrate how an Occupational Therapy Assistant would assist someone who is injured by providing them with special equipment and tools for eating and grasping items like clothing. Mr. Purcell also showed the students a variety of equipment and stations in the OTA Skills Lab including the platform swing, simulation bathroom, rainbow arch and arm bike.

Dr. Scott Bennie, PTA Program Director, showed the children how Physical Therapist Assistants help people

who are physically injured and teach them to use assistive devices and exercise equipment including wheelchairs, walkers and exercise balls. The kids were able to experience what it is like to be in a wheelchair and learn how they would maneuver down stairways and ramps.

At the end of the tour, Stanbridge College REACH, on behalf of the Vocational Nursing students of FTQ, presented a Canon PIXMA printer to the children as a gift to Project Hope School. On their own initiative, the students of FTQ raised the funds to purchase the printer for Project Hope.

For more photos of this event, please visit www.facebook.com/stanbridgecollege.

Continue to REACH

To learn more about Project Hope School and how you can support the education of homeless children in Orange County, please visit www.projecthopeschool.org.

Brian Millsap is the Chief Information Officer of Hampton Products, a manufacturing and distribution business headquartered in Southern California. Every day the Stanbridge College IT alumni works with and manages people who are passionate about working in IT, which in turn makes him passionate about his career.

Brian’s journey into the IT profession started 15 years ago, when he decided he wanted to begin a second career. After working as an operations manager in the Import/Export industry, Brian was ready to find a career that could support business operations.

“I didn’t want to be just a Microsoft Exchange administrator or security administrator. I wanted to be an IT administrator so I could touch all parts of IT and connect that with my business background,” stated Brian in a recent interview with Stanbridge College.

Brian started looking for an education that would aid him in achieving his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification. At the time online options were limited so Brian decided to audit classes in different local colleges to find the right fit for him.

“I could tell there were a lot of colleges where the students were there just to pass their tests, but at Stanbridge College the atmosphere was different,” remembered Brian. “I could tell the students wanted to be there and the instructors wanted to connect with them and make sure they were successful.”

Even before completing his IT certification, Brian was offered a position as the IT manager at Hampton Products. At that time, he was the only one in his department supporting a large company, but because of his education he felt confident that he could handle the role.

“Stanbridge College gave me the confidence to know that I could be responsible for a major operation’s IT needs. I walked into my new job on the first day and I knew that I was the only one that everyone was going to rely on for email, internal enterprise resource planning systems, shipping and billing systems and everything else including their copy machines.”

“Stanbridge allowed me the hands on experience that made it easy to transition into my professional job. I also knew that after I had graduated I was still able to contact my instructors for help if I had an issue.”

In 14 years at Hampton Products, Brian expanded his department to 10 people. The organization itself has grown and acquired several businesses. As CIO, Brian interviews candidates for IT roles within his department and believes that having a passion for your profession is critical above all else when applying.

“People who are applying to IT positions need to market themselves, know the industry buzzwords and display an understanding of how IT should align with business goals. Education and certifications are also vital. However, I always look for someone who has a passion for IT. An ideal candidate is someone who uses computers and technology creatively throughout their daily lives in work and at home.”

Brian attributes his success primarily to the successful hiring of passionate people. “They are easy to manage, they love what they do and they love doing it well.” says Brian when asked why he spends so much time in finding the right candidates for jobs at Hampton.

“For me, I am passionate about service,  in the Information Technology field, everything moves and changes so fast that I would get left behind if I didn’t have a great staff of geeks who live and breathe technology. Unfortunately I’m not smart enough to consider myself a geek, but I really enjoy working with them (secretly I wish I could be one). I love to harness the power of my team and use it to serve the business, I think that is how I have been successful in my career.”

Stanbridge College REACH is continuing its support of the Special Olympics Southern California by gathering volunteers for the 2012 Summer Games June 9th and 10th.

In 2011, over 1,100 athletes competed in the Summer Games in six different competitions including athletics (track and field), aquatics, basketball, bocce, golf, and gymnastics. Hearing the roar of the crowd, receiving high fives and knowing they have achieved a great accomplishment means everything to these athletes. Volunteer today and help provide much needed support to a very deserving group of people.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday & Sunday, June 9 – 10, 2012
Time: Full day or half day shifts available morning or afternoon. Times TBD upon registration.
Location: Cal State University, Long Beach and Recreation Park: 1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90815

Registration: Click here or email vsauer@stanbridge.edu for information on how to register.

Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of shifts including fans-in-the-stands, scorekeepers, athlete staging, athlete awards, check-in, delegation escort, meal services and more.

The 2012 Summer Games is free to the public, so please encourage your family and friends to participate either as volunteers or as audience members.

Winning a medal is not the only thing that will make these athletes feel accomplished. The Special Olympics helps them make friends, feel accepted and overcome obstacles. Join us in supporting this inspirational event and volunteer today.

To learn more about the 2012 Summer Games and Special Olympics of Southern California please visit: www.sosc.org.

Every May, patients, healthcare providers, nursing professionals and educators celebrate National Nurses Week and the work of nurses around the world. Established in 2003, National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6th, National Nurses Day, through May 12th, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing.

Since the Nursing program’s inception in 2006, Stanbridge College has maintained the highest NCLEX-PN pass rate in Southern California with a 5 year average 96% pass rate. Our faculty cares about each student and enables them to succeed with resources achieved from decades of nursing experience. Our graduates have learned to think critically, act with integrity and see others with compassion. During their educational journey, our students engage their community through service learning initiatives. In the past, our students in the Nursing programs have volunteered for public health fairs and flu shot clinics, donated to CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County and participated in Disasters Readiness programs with the County of Orange Medical Reserve Corp amongst many initiatives aimed at serving our community.

Stanbridge College would like to thank each of our Nursing faculty, staff and students for their commitment to the future of healthcare, patient safety and above all else their unyielding compassion for their fellow man.

In celebration, Stanbridge College is hosting a Free Ice Cream and Popcorn Social on Tuesday, May 8th and Wednesday, May 9th in the Student Lounge from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Learn more about National Nurses Week:

To learn more about National Nurses week and its history, please visit the American Nurses Association website at http://nursingworld.org. Discover the life of Florence Nightingale, online at http://www.florence-nightingale.co.uk/cms/.

Interested in becoming a nurse? Or do you know someone who is? To learn more about the Nursing, Healthcare and Therapy programs at Stanbridge College, please visit www.stanbridge.edu.

Stanbridge College encourages you to participate in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday April 28, 2012. The event provides a venue for persons who want to properly dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses vital public safety and health issues. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Location: Clifton C Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way Tustin CA 92780
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

For more information please visit: http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html

Help prevent drug abuse by participating in this critical event.

Here are the workshop details:

Prerequisite: Tracheostomy Care and Oxygen Delivery Devices Completion
Date: Saturday, April 28th
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Stanbridge College
CEUs: 8
Registration Price: $69.00

Registration: CLICK HERE to register or call Career Services at 949-794-9090.

For more information on this workshop, please click here to download a PDF flyer

Similar workshops elsewhere would charge $149 per student! However, Stanbridge College subsidizes workshop prices for its students and graduates, making it more affordable. Price includes all course materials.

Please note these workshops have a limited amount of seats available, so please sign up as soon as possible to ensure your participation!

Occupational Therapy Assistant students of Stanbridge College are hosting three fundraisers for Occupational Therapy Awareness starting Monday April 23rd.

All proceeds from these fundraisers will go to support the Special Olympics Southern California – a nonprofit organization that uses sports training and competition to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in the Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image.

Bake Sale
7:30 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. – OTA students will be selling muffins and bagels with cream cheese for a $1.00 donation in the student lounge Monday through Friday.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – OTA students will be selling cookies, cupcakes, brownies, rice crispy treats for a $1.00 donation and root beer floats for a $2.00 donation in the student lounge each day Monday through Friday.

Everyone who donates will receive their name on the OT Awareness Fundraiser Wall.

T-shirts

OT t-shirts on sale Monday through Friday.

Purchase a custom made Stanbridge College Occupational Therapy t-shirt for a $20.00 donation! OTA students will be selling t-shirts each afternoon (11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.) Monday through Friday. T-shirts come in Navy Blue or Charcoal Gray. All OTA students will be able to wear these t-shirts as part of their uniform through May 31st.

Silent Auction
Stanbridge OTA students will also be hosting a silent auction Monday through Friday. A variety of items from local vendors will be up for bid.

Continue to REACH for OT!

We encourage all of our students to participate in the OT Awareness Fundraisers activities and help promote Occupational Therapy to the public. Learn more about Occupational Therapy and how you can participate in OT month at http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Awareness/OT-Month.aspx.

Join guest instructor Russell Poucher, President of Creative Resources Technology Group, a national provider of IT Services, Managed Services and Apple Certified Training Classes, to learn about three core areas of Mac technologies including troubleshooting, Mac and PC/Windows integration and iOS troubleshooting and maintenance.

Course Topics Include:

• Tips, tricks and ways to help you more efficiently resolve Mac computer issues
• Desktop virtualization running Windows and OS X-based applications side-by-side
• Benefits of transitioning to an Apple device, as well as tips and tricks on managing multiple iPhones and iPads

Here are workshop details:

Date: Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Location: Stanbridge College
Registration Price: $25.00 – Special Reduced Price until 5:00 pm Friday April 20th

Registration: Click here or contact a Career Service Officer at 949-794-9090

For more information please click here to download the workshop PDF.

*Stanbridge College offers this in-demand workshop at an affordable price because it subsidizes the enrollment for alumni and students.

With the growing prevalence of Mac technology in business environments, it is important for IT professionals to learn and maintain the necessary skills in Mac and PC operating systems.

Sign up today and reserve your seat!

Many trauma patients require a tracheostomy during intensive care. The tracheostomy workshop will better prepare you for work in any acute or sub-acute care setting where the tracheostomy is performed.  This comprehensive four hour workshop will focus on tracheostomy care, equipment maintenance, and artificial airway management. Completion of this course will enhance your resume and increase your chances of being hired in medical care facilities and home healthcare settings.

Workshop details:

Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Location: Stanbridge College
CEUs: 4
Registration Price: $49.00
REGISTRATION: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER or contact Career Services at 949-794-9090.

Course Topics Include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Reasons for a Tracheostomy
• Parts of the Tracheostomy Set
• Common Complications
• Tracheostomy Tube Change
• and more!

Similar workshops elsewhere would charge $149 per student! However, Stanbridge College subsidizes workshop prices for its students and graduates, making it affordable. Price includes all course materials.

Please note these workshops have a limited amount of seats available, so please sign up as soon as possible to ensure your participation!

Also, don’t forget Tracheostomy Care is a prerequisite for the Respiratory Ventilator Competency workshop on April 28th! Sign up today for both classes! Gain the skills to help you add valuable experience to your résumé and secure employment in the healthcare field.

Stanbridge College receives national recognition for community service by the Corporation for National and Community Service for the third consecutive year.

Irvine, California – Stanbridge College, a private technical school in Irvine, California, was admitted to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. This award is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement and honors the college for its long term community partnerships with over 30 non-profits in 2011. This is the third consecutive year in which Stanbridge College has received this recognition, following the honors for the college’s community service outreach in 2009 and 2010.

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Last year, the College’s REACH – Beyond the Classroom Service Learning and Civic Engagement initiative volunteered over 1,300 man hours and donated over $6,000 and a myriad of food and supplies to support the needy in Orange County and around the world. REACH provides students with opportunities to give back to their community while earning credit towards coursework in a structured environment.

“Through service, these institutions are creating the next generation of leaders by challenging students to tackle tough issues and create positive impacts in the community,” said Robert Velasco, Acting CEO of CNCS. “We applaud the Honor Roll schools, their faculty and students for their commitment to make service a priority in and out of the classroom. Together, service and learning increase civic engagement while fostering social innovation among students, empowering them to solve challenges within their communities.”

President of Stanbridge College, Yasith Weerasuriya stated, “Stanbridge College would like to thank every student, staff and faculty member for working with REACH to give back to our communities in 2011. Together we have supported many important organizations that are making a difference for hundreds of thousands of people here and around the world. We will work together in 2012 to continue to influence a positive change for our fellow man.”

In a year of continued economic instability, REACH supported organizations and programs to help those in need. Students, staff and faculty of Stanbridge College served meals every month to homeless and low-income families, sent care packages to overseas Marines, hosted donation drives for local animal shelters, and gathered funds for victims of natural disasters and political turmoil around the world. REACH worked with non-profits including Veterans First OC, American Red Cross, Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise, Mercy House, Second Harvest Food Bank OC, Convoy of Hope, Doctors Without Borders and the Orange County and Irvine Animal Care Centers.

Nursing students at Stanbridge College also volunteered with the County of Orange administering flu shots at public health fairs and participating in Disaster Readiness Training events hosted by the Orange County Medical Reserve Corp.

To learn more about Stanbridge College and its REACH community service initiative visit www.stanbridge.edu/reach.

About Stanbridge College
Irvine-based Stanbridge College is a co-educational technical college with an annual enrollment of over 800 students. Founded in 1996, Stanbridge is nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Career Schools and Colleges, ACCSC. Stanbridge College offers diplomas and Associate, Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Health Care and Information Technology.

Stanbridge College has also been recognized by Institutional Research & Evaluation, Inc as a 2009, 2010 and 2011 America’s Best Technical Colleges award recipient. Stanbridge is a 2008-2009 School of Excellence Award Recipient from the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and maintains one of the highest continuous pass rates on the NCLEX-PN National Nursing Board Exam in California since 2007 with a 96% cumulative pass rate. For more information, please visit www.stanbridge.edu or call (949)-794-9090.

About The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS)
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, and leads President Barack Obama’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve. For more information, visit NationalService.gov.

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Platinum Achievement Award given to Stanbridge College by the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross recognized Stanbridge College with a Platinum Achievement Award in their March Recognition Event. Stanbridge College was honored with the Platinum Award due to an 82% increase in units collected from the quarterly blood drives in 2011.

REACH would like to thank all of the students, staff, faculty and alumni who participated in all of our 2011 Blood Drives. Your support has not only assisted in saving the lives of hundreds of people in Orange County and the US, but it has also helped Stanbridge College REACH achieve a higher level of community service excellence.

In continuing with our support of the American Red Cross, we are pleased to announce that our students and staff at the March Red Cross Blood Drive donated over 12 pints of blood and assisted in saving over 36 lives. REACH would like to thank all of the donors and the Red Cross for making this event another successful blood drive!

Continue to REACH

The next Red Cross Blood Drive at Stanbridge College is coming up on Tuesday June 12th. To schedule an appointment please email vsauer@stanbridge.edu.

Find out more about the need for blood donations, who it helps and if you are an eligible donor. Visit the Red Cross online at www.redcrossblood.org for more information.

In 2011, Stanbridge College raised and donated funds for 25 impoverished and blind people to receive cataract eye surgeries from the Lion’s Gift of Sight Hospital in Sri Lanka. Lion’s Gift of Sight Hospital was founded by the International Association of Lions Clubs and their support for Vision 2020, a global initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness. The surgeries provided these people with corrected vision and the ability to see again. To continue their support in 2012, Stanbridge will continue raising funds to support another 75 blind and needy people in Sri Lanka with cataract eye surgeries.

Fundraising for the Lion’s Gift of Sight Hospital is a part of Stanbridge College’s REACH Beyond the Classroom Service Learning Initiative. REACH encourages students and staff to give back to their local and global communities in need. In the past, REACH has partnered with CHOC Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres and the Low Vision Center at St. Mary’s Hospital in Long Beach, supplying 50 children with glasses.

Continue to REACH:

Stanbridge College encourages you to find out more about how you can help support the needy with vision correction.

To learn more about the International Association of Lions Clubs, please visit http://www.lions306a-1.org/index.html. To learn about Vision 2020, visit their website at http://www.vision2020.org/main.cfm.

Stanbridge College REACH is excited to announce its first monthly Canned Food Drive starting April 16th! We are asking for donations of canned food items to donate to the Second Harvest Food Bank Orange County to support their mission to eliminate hunger in Orange County.

Who are we supporting?

Since its founding, the Second Harvest Food Bank OC has provided more than 272 million pounds of donated and surplus food to local charities. This non-profit works to provide food to nearly 240,000 people including children, single parents, homeless people, the working poor and temporarily unemployed people in Orange County every month.

The people who are in need are our fellow neighbors. To learn about who Second Harvest helps please read their Real Stories at http://feedoc.org/WhoWeHelp/RealStories.aspx. Learn how people from Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and other cities in OC are one step away from living on the streets and need our help the most.

What, When and Where Do I Donate?

If you are able to, we encourage donations of any canned food items including beans, vegetables, meats, soup, fruit and more.

Here are the event details:

Date: Monday – Friday, April 16th – April 20th
Location: Please drop off any donations in the bins located in the student lounge or Administration Suite 107.

More than half a million people go hungry in Orange County. Let’s fight hunger together. Support our Orange County community and give back to those in need.

Stanbridge College Nursing Instructor, Anne Garrett, RN, looks at a CT scanner and thinks of it as if it were a space ship in Star Wars.

According to her husband, Haydn, Mrs. Garrett can understand how “little people” think. With eight grandchildren, ages ranging from three to twelve, she would often write stories to them about nurses, doctors and hospitals. Because of this, her husband urged her to write down ideas for a children’s book.

Out of those ideas came “My Tummy Hurts,” a book about a child named Sam, who goes to the hospital because of a stomach ache. Sam, with his Transformer toy robot by his side meets with doctors and nurses who wear Superman printed scrubs. Sam also goes through procedures such as getting a CAT Scan.

“I know what the adults go through, when they are scared, hurting and unsure of outcomes, so I wanted this little boy to understand what could happen to him, from the ER to the operating room to recovery and discharge,” said Anne.

With 46 years of experience in the nursing profession, Anne anticipates that her recently published book will help alleviate any fears that children may have when visiting the hospital. For example, in the book, when the doctors ask the boy to get in the CT scanner and stay very still, the boy thinks of it as though he is stowing away on space ship, just like Luke Skywalker did in Star Wars.

“My hope is that the book may be available in all pediatric waiting areas, clinics, and doctors’ offices for kids to be assured that the hospitals are not too scary for them and that they can have an adventure…who knew that the CT scanner could be made into a Star Wars game?”

While her book teaches children what to expect as a patient in a hospital, Anne continues to teach young aspiring students how to be nurses in the Vocational Nursing program at Stanbridge College.

“I have really been involved in teaching for many years, as most senior nurses enjoy passing on knowledge to the newer graduates. I am about to start my 3rd year in April at Stanbridge, and I just love my work.”

As a nursing instructor, Anne feels that it is important for nursing students to be excited about their future careers. She believes that there will be a constant demand for nurses and urges new nursing students and graduates to continue their education throughout their careers.

“I hope that I can inspire the students of today to become the best nurses of tomorrow, as they start this amazing profession. We will always need caring, well-educated nurses to hold our hands, and we will always need the excellent caliber of instructors that the students are so lucky to have here at Stanbridge. Today’s students may well be here in the future passing their knowledge along as the lectures of tomorrow.”

In January of 2012, Stanbridge College staff raised funds for the Low Vision Center at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Long Beach, supplying 50 children with eyeglasses. The Low Vision Center provides free vision screenings to children in preschool and elementary school grades and offers low cost optical aids to those suffering from impaired vision or blindness. Many of these children come from low-income or impoverished families who cannot afford vision screening or eyeglasses.

The funds raised by Stanbridge College went to helping these children receive eyeglasses to aid them in their education. Many of the children wrote thank you letters and drew pictures expressing their gratitude. Some of the children said that after receiving eyeglasses they were able to see the classroom whiteboard clearer, stay focused on school work, and have begun to see an improvement their grades.

One family conveyed their appreciation and explained that as their income was cut significantly due to the recession and medical issues, Stanbridge College’s donation and Low Vision Center’s “help to [their] children truly lifted a burden.”

One fourth grade child wrote, “Thank you for the glasses that you’ve granted me. Now my sight has improved, I read clearly and I can study better. Please continue to help kids like me. Thank you so much and God bless you always.”

To view the thank you letters and pictures from the children please click here to visit the Stanbridge College Facebook photo album.

Continue to REACH:

Stanbridge College encourages you to find out how you can help support local children in need with vision correction.

Learn more about the Low Vision Center at St. Mary’s Hospital at http://www.stmarymedicalcenter.org/Medical_Services/20718

Stanbridge College REACH is looking for volunteers to help assist the Medical Safety and Management Team at the LA Marathon on Sunday, March 18th.

According to the LA Marathon LLC, the race is expected to draw over 25,000 participants. With such a large turn out, volunteers are greatly needed to help runners stay healthy during and after the race.

Volunteers will be placed at several stations along the marathon course. Volunteers will be teamed with experienced nurses and physicians. Some of the volunteer tasks include handing out water to dehydrated runners, handing out snacks to runners, taking vitals, supporting nurses and physicians with injured runners and more.

Here are the event details:

Date: Sunday, March 18th
Time: 6:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Los Angeles – course route takes runners from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier.
Registration: Registration for this event is now closed.

More information and details of event day tasks will be sent out to all of the registered volunteers prior to the event.

To learn more about the LA Marathon, please visit www.lamarathon.com.

In February, Stanbridge College gathered supplies and food for the families of Wounded Warriors based out of Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA. The college ran a two-week long donation drive and collected diapers, wipes, formula, food and pacifiers. At the end of the two weeks, Stanbridge delivered the donations to their REACH Community Service Partner Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise (WCHP) to help distribute the donations to the Wounded Warrior Readiness program.

“Thank you so much for collecting all the baby items for our Wounded Warrior babies! I delivered those items to the Wounded Warrior Family Readiness Officer was so excited to see all that Stanbridge collected.”
-          Cynthia Martinez, President/Founder, Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise

The Baby Food and Diaper Donation Drive is part of the REACH – Beyond the Classroom Service Learning and Civic Engagement initiative at Stanbridge College. Last November, REACH worked with WCHP by donating snacks, socks and other items and packing over 100 care packages as Christmas presents for overseas Marines stationed in Afghanistan.

Continue to REACH:

Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise is a non-profit organization that serves those in the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. Learn more about WCHP and find out how you can help their cause at www.comforthopeandpromise.org

To learn more about Stanbridge College REACH and get involved in giving back to your community please visit www.stanbridge.edu/reach.

Stanbridge College Vocational Nursing student, Lisa Daniels loves what she does.

“I am a Social Worker/Case Manager at a skilled nursing facility in Costa Mesa.  I have the pleasure of working with seniors, their families and their physicians everyday, toward the same goal…great care,” stated the term 1 nursing student.

Last fall, alongside fellow senior care professionals, Lisa was honored at the First Annual Senior Care Humanitarian Awards Ceremony for her work with the elderly. The ceremony, sponsored by Answers: Senior Care Solutions, recognized the humanitarian efforts of senior care nurses, caregivers, social workers, physicians and administrators in Orange County. Lisa was nominated by a home healthcare company for her social work in a skilled nursing facility.

“I do discharge planning, case management, care conferences, coordinating benefits and many other things that I hope change the life of each person for the better. I love what I do!”

The ceremony raised funds to benefit Community SeniorServ, a nonprofit social service agency that runs programs for senior citizens including Meals on Wheels, Senior Lunch program, Case Management and Adult Day Health Care centers.

“It is such an honor to be amongst so many great people who serve our elders in our community. What a great industry to be a part of!” said Lisa.

Currently Lisa is pursuing her Diploma in Vocational Nursing at Stanbridge College. She was inspired to enter the program in order to learn clinical skills to enhance her work in case management. In the future, Lisa hopes to continue her work as a Case Manager at skilled nursing facilities or acute hospitals.

According to Stanbridge College President, Yasith Weerasuryia, “Lisa Daniels is a wonderful example of professional leadership. Her kindness towards seniors and efforts to go beyond what is expected of her are clearly shown in this nomination. We are very pleased that her skills are recognized within her field.”

Stanbridge College REACH is looking for compassionate volunteers to help provide the homeless of Orange County with change that they could really use. Join us to prepare and serve a warm meal to over 400 homeless and low-income families on Saturday February 25, 2012.

Volunteers will be able to prepare food, set up the dining hall, serve meals and give a little bit of hope and care to those in need.

Here are the event details:

Date: Saturday, February 25, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (2-3 Volunteers are needed to arrive at 1:00 PM to help prepare food)
Location: Lighthouse Ministries: 1885 Anaheim St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Registration: Click here to register or contact vsauer@stanbridge.edu

If you are able to, Stanbridge College encourages donations of the following items for the homeless to have during the meal and to use:

- brownies, cookies or candy
- sodas – these are such a treat for these men, women and children and they go so fast!
- clothing items – especially socks, used back packs and toiletry items
- blankets, plastic bags and cloth bags

Homelessness can happen to anyone. Let’s work together to help our fellow community members and give them the support they really need.

This Valentine’s Day, show some love for the needy! Help Stanbridge College REACH raise funds to purchase bus passes for homeless people in Orange County. Join us at the Valentine’s Day Ice Cream and Popcorn Social in the Stanbridge College Student Lounge. Enjoy a tasty treat, hang out with your sweetheart and show your love for your community.

Each ice cream and popcorn treat will be on sale for $1.00 a piece. At this event, we will also be unveiling the new Stanbridge College pennant, on sale for $5.00 per pennant.

All proceeds from ice cream, popcorn and pennant sales will go to purchasing bus passes for the homeless. With a bus pass, people without a home are able to travel to shelters, soup kitchens and other organizations. They can access food, shelter and other donations. For some, a bus pass is a ticket to survival.

Event details:

Date: Valentine’s Day, Tuesday February 14, 2012
Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM AND 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Stanbridge College Student Lounge

Your community needs more than candy and flowers this Valentine’s Day. Show Orange County your love by supporting those in need.

Stanbridge College students, staff and faculty raised $1,000 to support local veterinarian center, Irvine Pet Complex and its charity drive for the Irvine Animal Care Center. The funds helped purchase pet food, beds and shelter supplies for the Irvine Animal Care Center and its care for homeless pets.

“Irvine Pet Complex was proud to sponsor the Irvine Animal Care Center,” stated Dr. Rob Harner, D.V.M. of the Irvine Pet Complex. “Thank you to Stanbridge College for their participation and generous donation.”

Irvine Pet Complex is a team of doctors and professional veterinary staff who offer veterinary services to pets in Orange County. Last month, Irvine Pet Complex’s supported the Irvine Animal Care Center in its mission to aid thousands of homeless, neglected and abused animals.

Each quarter, Stanbridge College runs a Favorite Charity contest encouraging its Vocational Nursing, Information Technology and Occupational Therapy Assistant students to nominate a charity and cause. The chosen charity is the beneficiary of a two-week long fundraiser. In the past, Stanbridge College has raised funds for Doctors Without Borders for the famine in Somalia, Convoy of Hope for the tornado disaster in Joplin and ShelterBox for the victims of the tsunami in Japan.

In the fall of 2011, Stanbridge College supported the Irvine Animal Care Center by hosting a weeklong Pet Food and Supplies Drive. The drive resulted in gathering over 150 lbs of donations including pet food, blankets, toys and supplies for the shelter.

These projects are a part of Stanbridge College’s REACH Beyond the Classroom Serving Learning and Civic Engagement Initiative. REACH provides students the opportunity to volunteer and donate to local and global charities in need of support. REACH has helped a wide variety of non-profit organizations including Mariners Outreach, Veterans First OC, Rebuilding Together OC and the American Red Cross.

Continue to REACH

Learn more about the Irvine Pet Complex at www.irvinepetcomplex.com and the Irvine Animal Care Center at http://www.ci.irvine.ca.us/cityhall/cs/animalcare/default.asp.

To learn more about Stanbridge College REACH and register for upcoming community service events, visit www.stanbridge.edu/reach.

Stanbridge College January Suitcase Donation Drive gathered suitcases, tote bags, and duffel bags for over 25 less fortunate and impoverished people in Orange County. The two-week long drive helped provide people who are homeless or living in temporary housing like motels and shelters with durable protection for their belongings in the cold and rainy months. At the end of the two weeks, all donations were given to the homeless at Lighthouse Ministries in Costa Mesa.

“It is overwhelming to see just how much one suitcase can aid a family in need,” stated Yasith Weerasuriya, President of Stanbridge College and volunteer at Lighthouse Ministries. According to Mr. Weerasuriya, “there was one homeless family at the church who carried their child and all of their personal belongings in a flimsy, worn out stroller. When they received a stronger suitcase they were able to consolidate all of their belongings and carry them without burdening their child.”

In addition to the donations, volunteers from the college prepared, cooked and served a warm meal to over 400 homeless and low-income families at the church. This event is a monthly community service project in which Stanbridge College partners with Mariners Outreach to host a meal for Orange County’s homeless.

These projects are a part of Stanbridge College’s REACH – Beyond the Classroom Service Learning and Civic Engagement Initiative. REACH provides students the opportunity to give back to their local and global communities while earning credit towards coursework in a structured environment. Stanbridge College’s REACH has continuously supported the homeless of Orange County by assisting organizations like Mercy House, Veterans First OC and Project Hope School.

Continue to REACH

Stanbridge College serves the homeless with a warm meal every month. Learn more and sign up to volunteer at the next serving the homeless event in February online at www.stanbridge.edu/reach.

Stanbridge College is once again partnering with Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise to support our military and their families with the February Baby Food and Diaper Drive.

Since September 11, 2001, nearly 42,000 military men and women have been injured in combat. Their families and love ones remain by their side, sacrificing so much to ensure our soldiers are taken care of.  The week long donation drive will benefit the families of the Wounded Warriors to help them ease their burdens as they start off the New Year.

Starting February 6th we are encouraging everyone to gather and donate the following supplies:

• Baby diapers (sizes 1,2,3,4)
• Infant formula (newborn to 2 years)
• Baby wipes
• New Pacifiers
• Baby food
• Monetary donations

If you are able to donate, please drop off new and unused donations in the Stanbridge College student lounge.

Here are the event details:

Date: EXTENDED ONE WEEK – Monday – Friday, February 6th – February 17th
Location: Stanbridge College Student Lounge

Our military men and women have sacrificed their family time to serve our country. Let’s work together to support our Wounded Warriors, their families, and children in need of extra care and love.

Stanbridge College is hosting its American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday March 26th from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. The Red Cross Bloodmobile will be parked in the Stanbridge College parking lot outside of building 2041.

Date: Monday March 26, 2012*
Time: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Stanbridge College Parking Lot
Registration: Email Victoria Sauer at vsauer@stanbridge.edu with your name, email, phone and requested time. Appointments are scheduled every 20 minutes.

*This event has been rescheduled to March 26th. If you would like to keep, reschedule or cancel your current blood donation appointment, please confirm with Victoria Sauer at vsauer@stanbridge.edu.

Identification is required to donate. Please ensure you are eligible to donate blood before your appointment. To read about American Red Cross donor eligibility please visit: http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements.

Ineligible to Give Blood?

Due to certain limitations, some people may be ineligible to donate blood. But there is still work to be done! Volunteer to help the Red Cross with administration tasks on the day of this event. Two shifts are available for administration support: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm and 3:00pm – 6:00 pm. Please email vsauer@stanbridge.edu to sign up.

FREE Coupons and Raffles for Donors

All participants of the blood drive will receive:
•    a FREE appetizer coupon from Mimi’s Café,
•    two tickets to the LA Galaxy,
•    discounted tickets up to 50% off for the LA Kings
•    two FREE tickets to explore the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Life

Participants may also enter a regional drawing for a $500 gift card SPA package.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Sign up today and let your heart beat for those in need.

“Stanbridge College would like to thank every student, staff and faculty member for working with REACH to give back to our communities. You have made a difference for thousands of people here and around the world. We will continue to work together in 2012 to influence a positive change for our fellow man,” stated Yasith Weerasuriya, President of Stanbridge College

In a year of continued economic instability, Stanbridge College lent a hand to those who needed it the most. We supported the homeless and low-income families living in temporary housing programs in Orange County. Monthly meals were served at Lighthouse Ministries with Mariners Outreach and Project Hope School, feeding hundreds of needy families. Our volunteers assisted Veterans First OC at the 1st Annual Orange County Stand Down for homeless military veterans. With Rebuilding Together OC, we helped rebuild Mary’s Kitchen, a soup kitchen and homeless shelter. Hundreds of donations were given to the homeless including sleeping bags, blankets, warm clothes, hygienic items, toys, school supplies and food. Pet supplies and food was collected and donated to our four-legged friends living in shelters at the Orange County and Irvine Animal Care Centers.

The year also brought natural disasters, famine and drought to several parts of the world. Stanbridge College students and staff were ready and able to raise funds quickly for the victims of the tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri, the tsunami in Japan and the political turmoil in Somalia.

Throughout the year, Stanbridge supported the several organizations to provide medical services to those in need. Our Vocational Nursing students used their classroom skills to assist medical professionals at free medical, dental and visions camps open to the Orange County and Ventura County public. Cohort FTO took initiative by running the Children’s Book Drive for the children at CHOC’s Children’s Hospital of Orange County. Students, staff and faculty assisted in saving the lives of hundreds of people through our quarterly blood drives for the American Red Cross. Stanbridge College staff also raised and donated funds for 25 impoverished and blind people to receive cataract eye surgeries from the Lion’s Gift of Sight Hospital in Sri Lanka and their initiative for Vision 2020.

During the holidays, Stanbridge College partnered with Words of Comfort, Hope and Promise to support our US Marines currently serving overseas. We sent Christmas care packages of Christmas cards, food snacks and socks. Stanbridge also hosted a Christmas Toy Drive for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation and gathered toys for needy children in Orange County. On Christmas Eve, Stanbridge students and staff spent their time serving a warm Christmas meal to veterans living in transitional housing programs.

In 2009 and 2010, Stanbridge College REACH Beyond the Classroom initiative was honored by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Stanbridge College was named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its exemplary service to America’s communities. The honor is the highest federal recognition a college can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

In 2012, Stanbridge College hopes to increase our REACH initiative and our partnerships with local and global non-profit organizations and support their mission to help our fellow man.  We started the year off by serving food and passing out donations at the Mercy House OC Cold Weather Emergency Shelter. Currently, we are hosting a Suitcase Donation Drive for the homeless, asking those who are able to donate new or used suitcases, duffel bags, tote bags or new plastic garbage bags.

To learn more about REACH, view upcoming events and find out how you can get involved, please visit www.stanbridge.edu/reach.

Last weekend, 400 homeless people woke up to the hearts and smiles of Stanbridge College REACH student and staff volunteers assisting at the Mercy House Orange County Cold Weather Emergency Shelter program. Volunteers at both Santa Ana and Fullerton shelter locations helped the people at the shelter by collecting their sleeping mats and blankets, passing out morning coffee and donated snacks and collecting trash outside of the shelter.

According to Katrina Payton, volunteer and Stanbridge College staff member, “Volunteering at the Mercy House shelter was an eye-opening experience. It reminded me that there are a lot of ways that we can help people right here in our local community. I am excited to continue my volunteer work at the next Stanbridge REACH event for the homeless.”

The purpose of the shelter program is to provide a safe and warm environment for up to 400 homeless people each night. The shelters are located at the National Guard Armories in Santa Ana and Fullerton and provide homeless with a nutritious meal, a warm shower and a safe place to sleep during the colder winter months. The program is a part of Mercy House’s mission to end homelessness by providing a unique system of dignified housing alternatives, programs, and supportive services.

Continue to REACH

Mercy House provides housing and comprehensive supportive services for a variety of homeless populations which includes families, adult men and women, mothers and their children, persons living with HIV/AIDS, individuals overcoming substance addictions, and some who are physically and mentally disabled. To learn more and register to volunteer at the OC Cold Weather Emergency Shelter program, visit www.mercyhouse.net.

Volunteering at Mercy House is one of the many events promoted by Stanbridge College’s REACH Beyond the Classroom Service Learning and Civic Engagement initiative. Learn more about how Stanbridge College gives back to its local and global community by visiting www.stanbridge.edu/reach.

Stanbridge College is looking for leaders who will help our local community by preparing and serving a meal to the homeless at Lighthouse Ministries on Saturday, January 28, 2012.

Volunteers will be able to prepare food, set up the dining hall, serve meals and give a little bit of hope and care to someone in need. Volunteers will also assist in passing out donations of suitcases, duffel bags and other items gathered during the January Suitcase Drive.

Here are the event details:

Date: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM (2-3 Volunteers are needed to arrive at 1:00 PM to help prepare food)
Location: Lighthouse Ministries: 1885 Anaheim St. Costa Mesa, CA 9262
Registration: Click here to register on REACH or email vsauer@stanbridge.edu

If you are able to, Stanbridge College encourages donations of the following items for the homeless to have during the meal and to use:

• brownies, cookies or candy
• sodas – these are such a treat for these men, women and children and they go so fast!
• clothing items – especially socks, used back packs and toiletry items
• blankets, plastic bags and cloth bags

It does not have to be a holiday in order to give back. Help us make a difference in our OC community all year round.

Some of the major tips that are worth while to note are:

• Luggage transporting – AOTA says lift with your legs to transport suitcases and totebags to and from cars, rooms and airport carousels
• Feel free to move about the cabin – Make sure to stretch your arms and legs after sitting through a long flight or car ride. You want to avoid stick necks, backs or shoulders.
• If your traveling with adults or children with disabilities or special needs make sure to plan in advance for accommodations and ask airport or hotel representatives for help when needed.

How do you relax while dealing with the hassle of airports, hotels and transportation during vacations or holidays? Let us know here or on our Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/stanbridgecollege.

To learn more about how to travel healthy and safe please visit AOTA online.

Interested in a career in Occupational Therapy? Visit Stanbridge College to learn about their Occupational Therapy Assistance program.

Stanbridge College invites you to participate in our January Suitcase Drive benefiting the homeless of Orange County. Starting January 16th and for two weeks after, we will be collecting new or used suitcases, duffel bags, tote bags and new plastic garbage bags. All donations will go to the Lighthouse Ministries Homeless Shelter.

If you are able to donate, we encourage you to help provide our fellow community members with something durable to withstand the winter elements and protect what is left of their personal belongings.

Here are the event details:

Date: Monday – Friday January 16th – 27th, 2012
Drop off location: Stanbridge College Student Lounge
Donations: New or used suitcases, duffel bags, tote bags or new plastic garbage bags.

During the coldest season in Orange County, people who are homeless or living in temporary housing like motels and shelters need our help the most. A suitcase can be the only home some of these people have.