RISE ABOVE: A CAMPAIGN FOR IVC
LOTUS LIVING VILLAGE
In May of 2021, the college inaugurated the Lotus Living Rise Above Resilient Community, an innovative off-campus housing village of 26 tiny homes for students with housing insecurities.
THIS GROUNDBREAKING INITIATIVE - THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES - PROVIDES HOUSING OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS AT RISK FOR HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING INSECURITY.
Imperial Valley College continues to demonstrate why it is considered the best community college in the nation, providing inexpensive courses and the finest opportunities in career and educational development.
Its greatest strength lies in the commitment of leaders, faculty, and staff to changing the Imperial County
region.
The Lotus Living Community exemplifies IVC’s basic needs initiative to provide preventative and sustainable
solutions to housing insecurity and homelessness.
LIFE AT LOTUS LIVING
The Imperial Valley College Foundation, in partnership with Imperial Valley College and the City of El Centro, built 26 tiny homes— the Lotus Living Village—for lease to students who qualify as being housing insecure.
This program has been wildly successful and enjoys high demand among students. Lotus Living Village is a vision for providing housing to students in a new and innovative way. Instead of a hand out, this model
educational housing program provides a hand up to students, empowering them to rise above and reach their dreams.
LOTUS LIVING IMPACT:
Housing Capacity: 26 Units
Number of Students served since 2021: 72
Females: 39 Males: 31
Average Age: 22
Average Length of Residency: 312 days
Former Lotus Living Residents transferred to
a four-year university: 26%
Former Lotus Living Residents earning an
Associate’s Degree: 28%
Dual College Enrollment: 1 Current Resident
(nursing student) - IVC and SDSU
LOTUS LIVING: SUCCESS STORIES
Ashley left home when she was 18 and moved to the Valley. For a while, she lived in her car until she moved in with friends and started couch surfing, eventually moving into the garage of one of her father’s friends. But expenses were still a challenge, and despite having a job, Ashley couldn’t afford to make ends meet.
That all changed when she enrolled at Imperial Valley College and was given a home in the Lotus Living Village. “Lotus Living gave me a place to live, but it also gave me a community of wonderful people I’ve bonded with. I’m able to get a good education at IVC and make good memories. I really admire the staff and teachers at the school who’ve helped me so much.”
ASHLEY - Past Lotus Living Resident majored in Political Science, accepted at CSU San Bernardino
“IMPERIAL VALLEY COLLEGE IS HELPING PEOPLE GROW INTO SUCCESSFUL VERSIONS OF THEMSELVES.”
HELP US REACH OUR GOAL
Help us reach our goal of raising $6 million to provide for our students’ future: the opportunity to have a safe home environment in which to study and thrive. A $6 million endowment fund will provide for the operations and maintenance of the Lotus Living Village, forever.