Construction Training Center | | | | | Welcome to the SRJC Foundation Quarterly Newsletter | |
Big things are happening across Santa Rosa Junior College and your support is at the heart of it all.
In this issue, we’re highlighting the Construction Training Center in Petaluma, where philanthropy, innovation, and community partnership are preparing students for high-demand careers that strengthen the North Bay. We’re also celebrating the opening of the updated Roseland site, a major milestone expanding access, equity, and opportunity for our community.
From career education to student success stories, every program featured here reflects the power of partnership and the impact of giving. Together, we’re helping students gain skills, confidence, and pathways to brighter futures, while building a stronger region for everyone.
Thanks for being part of the SRJC Foundation community. We’re glad you’re here and we hope to see you at upcoming events!
| Building Futures at the Construction Training Center | |
At a time when Sonoma County faces urgent challenges related to housing, wildfire recovery, and economic mobility, Santa Rosa Junior College is helping lead the way through its Construction Training Center (CTC) in Petaluma. Created to prepare a new generation of skilled trades professionals, the CTC connects students directly to high-demand, living-wage careers while strengthening the region’s capacity to rebuild and grow.
The need is both real and immediate. Regional employers across construction and infrastructure sectors report ongoing workforce shortages, while communities across the North Bay continue to face housing and climate resilience challenges. The Construction Training Center sits at the intersection of these needs; providing practical, job-ready training that benefits students, employers, and the broader community. Backed by federal disaster recovery funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and regional philanthropic leadership, the 10,000-square-foot facility is purpose-built for hands-on learning. The Center includes carpentry and HVACR labs, flexible classrooms, indoor and outdoor training areas, and dedicated spaces for safety instruction and equipment operation. Donor support was instrumental in helping SRJC meet the required local match for the federal grant, making the Center possible. Donor funding has provided essential tools and supplies, including hand and power tools, hard hats, safety vests, work shirts, tool belts, and lumber, helping keep many CTC classes free or very low cost for students. These resources remove barriers and ensure learners have what they need to succeed from day one.
Serving students from Sonoma County and neighboring wildfire-impacted regions, the Construction Training Center is more than a training facility - it is a regional hub for opportunity. By creating clear pathways from free noncredit programs to certificates, degrees, apprenticeships, and licensure, SRJC is building a strong talent pipeline that supports employers and strengthens the North Bay economy.
When donors invest in the Construction Training Center, they are not just supporting education — they are helping rebuild communities and creating lasting pathways to opportunity.
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Expanding Access:
SRJC Roseland Opens New Doors for the Community
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Santa Rosa Junior College’s Roseland site continues to grow as a welcoming hub for higher education in Southwest Santa Rosa, helping students overcome barriers and build pathways to success. Designed to serve a culturally diverse community, SRJC Roseland offers classes aligned with students’ academic and personal goals while providing tailored support services that make higher education more accessible.
Recent renovation and modernization efforts are transforming the site into a vibrant center for learning and connection. Heritage Hall opened in August 2025, expanding course offerings from 30 to 46 classes and contributing to a 71.84% increase in enrollment from Fall 2024 to Fall 2025 - a clear reflection of growing community demand.
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The new Welcome Center building, opening this semester, strengthens student support services and creates a central space where students can receive help with registration, orientation, and connections to campus resources.
The Welcome & Connect Center plays a vital role in guiding students, many of whom are entering higher education for the first time, through the enrollment process and helping them stay on track toward their goals.
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A Story of Stability and Hope
For Claudia and Miguel, a married couple and recent immigrants from Monterrey, Mexico, SRJC Roseland became more than a place to learn; it became a lifeline. After both lost their jobs and faced imminent housing instability, they received support through SRJC’s Basic Needs and Housing & Homelessness Insecurity Program, allowing them to remain housed while continuing their education. Now working with the Basic Needs team to secure transitional housing and pursue small business opportunities, they describe Roseland as a place of care and opportunity. Miguel shared, “It saved our lives. We were in the process of being evicted.” Claudia emphasized the welcoming environment and supportive staff who helped them move forward with hope and stability. Stories like theirs reflect the heart of SRJC Roseland where education, support services, and community come together to help students and families thrive.
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Leave a Lasting Legacy
Planned giving is a simple, powerful way to support SRJC students for generations to come. By including the SRJC Foundation in your estate plans, you can help expand opportunities, strengthen programs, and create lasting impact all while aligning your giving with your personal values.
Discover how your legacy can shape the future of SRJC.
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