OneFuture Coachella Valley

Fellow: Rubi Becerril
 

Rubi Becerril serves as the Community Impact/Alignment Project Fellow at OneFuture Coachella Valley. She was born in Mexico and grew up in the city of Desert Hot Springs. She attended College of the Desert and earned an Associate’s Degree, with academic distinction, in Sociology. She transferred to California State University, San Bernardino, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 2016. Rubi is the first in her family to complete a college degree. Her future goals include obtaining a Master’s Degree in Counseling, so that she may positively impact local students pursuing a college education. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and reading.

What are you looking forward to working on as a UCR CSI IE Nonprofit Fellow?

As a UCR CSI IE Nonprofit Fellow, I am looking forward to working along the OneFuture Coachella Valley (OFCV) team to achieve the goals of our Regional Plan for College and Career Success 2.0. The goals of this region-wide plan are to increase high school graduation rate, college readiness, career readiness, post-secondary completion and to help local students secure meaningful employment. My role as Alignment Coordinator will allow me to learn about our alignment process, which is the backbone that supports the progress made by each group that is involved in our Regional Plan. As Alignment Coordinator, I am looking forward to developing and implementing a thorough training process for all our team members and team co-chairs so that we continue using the appropriate procedures to support student success in our valley.

One particular goal of my project will be to assist the Palm Springs Unified School District to launch a Desert Hot Springs City focused Alignment Team on reducing chronic absenteeism for DHS students. This is something important to me because I am a native of this city. I am excited to be able to be an active participant in this city-wide effort to improve students’ academic success and help the community at large. I hope that my work will have a lasting impact in the city and in its students. Another goal of my project as a Fellow will be to support the development of an OFCV Alumni Alignment Team. I am looking forward to this part of my work because I am an alumna of OFCV as I received their scholarship and student services throughout my five years of college. By helping the development of this team, I will be helping our alumni increase their leadership skills which will be used to further support the long term goals of the Regional Plan.

What drew you to the UCR CSI IE Nonprofit Fellowship?

I learned about the UCR CSI IE Nonprofit Fellowship through a colleague. As I learned about the Center for Social Innovation and its goals and vision for the Inland Empire, I felt inclined to apply for the Fellowship program. I saw this Fellowship as a way to get more exposure to the non-profit sector and to gain professional development. More importantly, I decided to apply to have an opportunity to contribute to my community by working with an established non-profit organization.

What are you looking forward to learning about the nonprofit sector in the IE? What do you think are the most pressing needs in the region for nonprofit organizations?

I am looking forward to learning how non-profits operate and how they are able to make change happen in our region. Although I have worked for non-profit organizations before, I am looking forward to learning more about the way they are structured and how they determine their goals and assess their progress. I am looking forward to learning and experiencing how each person’s role and work contributes to the mission and values of the organization. I think that our region has unique needs that are being addressed throughout the area through the tireless work of invested non-profits. I think that some of those needs are access to health care for all, immigrant advocacy, environmental justice, access to education, among many others.

What is a little-known gem about the IE that you could share with others? What would you share with those not familiar or know little about the region?

The Inland Empire has many great places to enjoy. Personally, one of my favorite places in our area is Idyllwild. Although I love the heat we experience in the Coachella Valley, it is nice to get away every once in a while and catch a fresh breeze in Idyllwild, which is a short drive from us. I visit once a year every summer and it is something I look forward to every year. I enjoy the scenery, the fresh air, the quiet nights, the little family-owned shops and their offerings as well as the residents, who are always welcoming and friendly. I would definitely encourage anyone visiting the Inland Empire to take a trip there and see for themselves this beautiful place.

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years? What are your future career plans after this fellowship?

In five years, I picture myself working with students either at a community college or at an education-oriented organization to provide them the tools and the support to go into higher education. After completing this Fellowship, I plan to continue working in the Coachella Valley as I go through the process of applying to graduate schools to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling. My goal is to begin graduate school in the 2019-2020 academic year. Although I have a plan and a vision of where I want to be in the next couple of years, I know that life will take me exactly where I am supposed to be – I am open to the many opportunities that will certainly come my way.