Foundation Newsroom

Since 2019, the Education Foundation for Valley City Public Schools has partnered with The Village Family Service Center to ensure that students can meet with  licensed clinical counselor across all schools. 

During the 2024-2025 school year, 104 students received services for a total of 1,334 counseling sessions. Of those students, 97% partially or fully achieved their goals, a powerful reminder that access to mental health care can make all difference in the lives of students.

By removing barriers to care, Access for All helps students build resilience, manage stress, and focus on learning. Every dollar given to the Education Foundation supports programs like this one, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Thank you to our donors and community partners for making this impact possible!

Valley City Public Schools is excited to announce the hiring of Meaghan Wharton as the new director of the Education Foundation. Meaghan joins our team after a fundraising career in Watertown, South Dakota, where she played a pivotal role in driving community engagement and raising funds for survivors of domestic violence. Originally from Texas, Meaghan holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama.

Wharton says, “I am thrilled to join the Education Foundation and collaborate with the Valley City community to support students. I’m eager to create opportunities for all students to succeed and engage alumni in the foundation’s work, strengthening our partnerships and making a lasting impact.”

The mission of the Education Foundation is to partner with the community and alumni to provide access to meet the physical, social, emotional, instructional, and critical needs of the whole student. Since its founding in 2000, the Foundation has been an advocate for mental health services, particularly through its Access for All Program, which provides counseling services to all K-12 students and their families, regardless of their ability to pay. This fund ensures that every VCPS student has access to the necessary mental health resources to thrive in and out of the classroom.

Wharton is married to Bryce Blank, and they are excited to become actively involved in the Valley City community. Anyone interested in learning more about the Valley City Public Schools Education Foundation, or wishing to make a donation, may contact Meaghan by email at Vcps.foundation@k12.nd.us. Donations can also be mailed to the VCPS administration building at 460 Central Ave. North. Donations can be made payable to VCPS Education Foundation.

Farmers Union Insurance agents Tyler Van Bruggen and Kirk Olson presented Wendi Wilmes, Director of the Education Foundation for Valley City Public Schools, with a check for $1,000 to help fund their school counseling program. As part of their mission statement, Farmers Union Insurance believes in building stronger communities. This donation is part of their annual giving program where they select non-profit organizations in various locations across the state make a contribution to. Recently, Van Bruggen also participated in the “No-Shave November” contest to help raise funds and awareness for the program. He presented Wilmes with additional pledges from local donors who contributed to support his participation in the program.

The Access for All program was started in 2016 by the Education Foundation for Valley City Public Schools to start a behavioral health program at Valley City Public Schools. Initially, appointments were made with local counselors to fit each student’s needs. By the end of 2018, waiting lists grew long and transport issues prevented some students from getting to appointments. In 2019, we entered into a partnership with The Village Family Service Center in Fargo to provide school-based behavioral health counseling in each of our schools. This partnership has strengthened our program, and has allowed counseling services to be provided to more students. Katie Youngbauer, clinical counselor with The Village is now coming 4 days a week to help our students at Valley City Public Schools.

Wendi Wilmes, Education Foundation Director for Valley City Public Schools says, “We are so very thankful to Farmers Union Insurance for giving this donation to the Access for All program here at Valley City Public Schools. This donation will keep helping our students receive support in their mental health, which is so vital to them.”

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has presented the Education Foundation for Valley City Public Schools with a special donation of $7,000, designated for the Access for All Fund. In 1955, Mr. George Mason bequeathed Farm Land to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. His gift is a gift that keeps on giving, as each year donations are made from the farm income.

Our Savior’s Lutheran Church’s leadership recognizes the value of counseling services for students, and they are so grateful to be able to meet this need at this time in our community. Wendi Wilmes, Education Foundation Director for VCPS says “We are so grateful to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church for presenting this donation, as this will help so many students here at Valley City Public Schools”.

Pictured from Left to Right: Wendi Wilmes, Education Foundation Director for VCPS, Pastor Kyle Symanski from Our Savior’s, and Pastory Emmy Swedlund from Our Savior’s Lutheran Church.

The United Way of Barnes County has graciously donated $15,000 to the Access for All Program at Valley City Public Schools. Michelle Wobbema, President of the United Way in Barnes County, says, “I am very glad the United Way was able to give this donation to the Access for All program. We know that the funds will allow the program to continue to support our youth, who are so important to the future of the community.”

The Access for All program was started in 2016 by the Education Foundation for Valley City Public Schools to start a behavioral health program at Valley City Public Schools. Initially, appointments were made with local counselors to fit each student’s needs. By the end of 2018 waiting lists grew long and transport issues prevented some students from getting to appointments. In 2019, we entered into a partnership with The Village Family Service Center in Fargo to provide school-based behavioral health counseling in each of our schools. This partnership has strengthened our program, and has allowed counseling services to be provided to more students. Katie Youngbauer, clinical counselor with The Village is now coming 4 days a week to help our students at Valley City Public Schools.

Wendi Wilmes, Education Foundation Director for Valley City Public Schools says, “We are so very thankful to the United Way for giving this donation to the Access for All program here at Valley City Public Schools. This donation will keep helping our students receive support in their mental health, which is so vital to them.”

The United Way board members are: Michelle Wobbema, President, Dawn Riley, Secretary/Treasurer, Stacey Lilja, Brad Buck, Jonelle Krueger, Erin Tombarge, and Lisa Yokom.

Pictured: left to right: Mr. Josh Johnson, Superintendent of Valley City Public Schools, Michelle Wobbema, President of United Way, Katie Youngbauer, Clinical Counselor with the Village, and Wendi Wilmes, Education Foundation Director for Valley City Public Schools