NAMI Endowment Provides Support for PC Foundation Scholarships

We are excited to share the news of a generous new endowment from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Tulare County, made in support of Porterville College students pursuing careers in mental health care. In March 2025, NAMI Tulare County voted to establish a $75,000 endowment through the PC Foundation, creating ongoing scholarship opportunities for students in the Psychiatric Technician program. This meaningful gift ensures that scholarships will be available to help future generations of students achieve their educational and career goals in this vital field.

The idea for the scholarship first took shape in 2023, when Porterville-based NAMI board members Donna Grigsby and Kathy Farrell passionately advocated for direct support for Psychiatric Technician students at PC. Thanks to their leadership, NAMI introduced three annual $1,000 scholarships as the initial step. Understanding the life-changing impact these scholarships could have, Grigsby and Farrell encouraged the organization to consider a long-term solution through an endowment—an idea that came to fruition this spring with the board's unanimous support.

NAMI Tulare County, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, has been a steadfast advocate for mental health awareness, education, and support since 1978. Their mission to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness aligns deeply with the training and care provided by students in PC’s Psychiatric Technician program.

We are truly grateful to NAMI Tulare County and to Donna Grigsby and Kathy Farrell for their dedication, compassion, and belief in our students. Their commitment will leave a lasting legacy—helping to nurture the next generation of mental health professionals who will serve and strengthen our community.

To learn more about NAMI Tulare County, visit https://namitularecounty.org.