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BOUTTE— Valero committed $1 million to United Way’s Building Renovation Fund for a new state of the art community college campus in an on-going effort to reduce poverty, improve the quality of life and assist students in St. Charles Parish.

“I’m honored to be a part of this partnership with United Way and River Parishes Community College (RPCC),” said Jerry Stumbo, vice president and general manager at Valero’s St. Charles refinery. “Valero aims to improve the quality of life in the parish where we operate.

We continue to be supportive of projects that reduce poverty through education so that our neighbors may acquire the skills they need.”

The idea for United Way St. Charles to renovate a building that would later become a community college developed after meeting with local leaders in education, business, government and industry. Data provided in an Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) report was used, and in the end it was determined that job training in St. Charles Parish was what was needed most. United Way is a partner of RPCC who will be responsible for all operational aspects of the school. This includes helping prospective students secure grants to attend.

The campus will provide St. Charles Parish residents with a local technical and vocational school where students will be able to attain an associate’s degree in process technology or instrumentation. Before the campus was developed, students in St. Charles Parish had to travel to other parishes to attend this type of program.

“We are speechless at the generosity and community commitment shown by Valero in this donation,” said United Way St. Charles Executive Director John Dias. “This college will change the lives of generations to come. We can now ‘teach people to fish’ and help them help themselves and their families through education and job training.”

“River Parishes Community College is humbled by the generosity of Valero for making this investment in the new United Way of St. Charles Campus,” said RPCC Interim Chancellor, Dr. Jim Carlson. “This campus will allow RPCC to expand its program offerings and provide high- tech, relevant, hands-on training and work experiences for the people of St. Charles Parish.”

The Community College is open and classes have officially begun. Valero plans to partner with the United Way St. Charles and PRCC to hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and sign reveal with community members and local officials sometime this spring.

Please visit www.valero.com for more information.