Sheila Thornton is a woman on a mission. A mission that is transforming lives, strengthening the community and building economic prosperity throughout the Coachella Valley.
As the CEO and president of OneFuture Coachella Valley, Thornton’s passion, dedication and visionary leadership ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in college, career and life. For this, Thornton has been named the 2024 Outstanding Nonprofit Founder by National Philanthropy Day.
OneFuture Coachella Valley’s dedicated leadership team is committed to cultivating the next generation of the Coachella Valley’s workforce from within the local student community ensuring that every student, regardless of circumstance, can build a fulfilling future for themselves and their families through education and meaningful work.
Through scholarships, student programming, mentorship and internship opportunities, Coachella Valley students are given critical support as they achieve their educational and career goals, helping to break the cycle of poverty while at the same time strengthening the local economy.
To Thornton, this work is about providing opportunities for students and their families to rise out of poverty. She is a passionate champion and relentless advocate for our valley’s most underserved student populations.
In Loving Memory of Pete Del Rio
It is with heavy hearts and deep gratitude that we celebrate the life of OneFuture’s Founding Board Chair, Pete Del Rio. Pete lived a life of service to our community and was a passionate advocate for supporting those most in need. He modeled what it means to give of time, talent and treasure. Pete was one of four retired executives who were instrumental in helping establish OneFuture as an independent nonprofit in 2017.
He lead our board of directors with dedication and commitment to growth in service of our students. We will forever remember Pete’s kind heart, steady presence and loving support of the OneFuture family. His generosity and leadership will serve as a legacy that will live well beyond his lifetime.
A very special thank you to Pete’s family, who have chosen to honor his memory by supporting the education, career and life dreams of the students in the Coachella Valley. In true “Pete” form, his life will continue to impact students through the generosity of others. Thank you for contributing to this important mission!
