OneFuture Coachella Valley builds a stronger local workforce by guiding students from education to career pathways.

November 10, 2025 | Story by Marissa Willman, Palm Springs LIFE

Although 68 percent of today’s jobs require some college or training after high school, more than 80 percent of Coachella Valley students face significant barriers to accessing higher education. OneFuture Coachella Valley is changing that.

The nonprofit works to close financial gaps and help local students succeed, not just by helping them get into college, but also by supporting them as they complete their degrees and connect to meaningful careers. By aligning with K–12 schools, colleges, businesses, and community organizations, OneFuture builds a highly educated local workforce that fuels long-term economic stability for the region.

The numbers paint an impressive picture. OneFuture has supported 354 undergraduate healthcare internships across 64 sites from 2010 to 2025, generating more than $1.3 million in wages for students. Since its founding, the organization has awarded more than $18.6 million in scholarships to 3,300 students, resulting in 1,214 bachelor’s degrees, 488 associate degrees, 171 master’s degrees, and 17 doctoral degrees. Today, more than 40 percent of local high school students are enrolled in career academies and specialized pathways that help them explore career options before they graduate.

With OneFuture’s support, students receive wraparound services including coaching, career counseling, paid internships, and mental health resources, helping them stay on track through graduation and into the workforce. This holistic approach supports students across all majors, from STEM and healthcare to business and the arts, ensuring they have the tools and experiences they need to thrive.

As the region’s workforce becomes more educated, OneFuture’s mission continues to evolve. “The greatest need for students now is connecting their completed degree with a job in the Coachella Valley,” says OneFuture CEO Sheila Thornton. “Conversely, the greatest need for employers is finding students who are the right fit for their hard-to-fill jobs. Our mission is about matching the two.”

Thornton notes that the rising cost of college is another challenge. “For students from low-income families, financing the education and training they need to be qualified for good jobs is out of range,” she says. “Most students and families have to prioritize basics: food, housing, and transportation.” She believes it’s time to create realistic, affordable pathways that account for both the cost and time required to complete a degree or training program.

Looking ahead, OneFuture aims to build on its Healthcare Workforce Leadership Roundtable and apply the model across other industries. Over the next five years, the goal is to create an education investment fund that combines financial support, mentorship, and job placement, ensuring students succeed and return to the Coachella Valley as community leaders.

New Grads Making a Difference
Meet OneFuture scholar alums who are joining the workforce.