Candidate for
Governing Board Member; Coast Community College District; Trustee Area 4

EXPERIENCE

As Executive Director of Share Our Selves for 22 years, Jean knows the needs and desires of single parents, minority youth, and the working poor in our community. She knows that education is their most assured path to a fulfilling and productive life.

Jean also has seen how valuable community colleges are for those who want to re-enter education and expand their own horizons and career opportunities. And she has shared in the joy of students who transfer to four-year colleges.

She has worked extensively with agencies and leaders throughout Orange County and is well informed on how the "system" works. She is well known and respected as an advocate and spokesperson for those who do not speak for themselves.

Formerly director of a large agency, Jean is familiar with budgets, fund raising, and personnel matters. As a former teacher, she knows the importance of trust and respect among faculty, administration, and trustees.

LEADERSHIP

She led Share Our Selves from its inception to becoming one of the largest non-profits in Orange County, having 400 volunteers at any one time and serving over 20,000 people a month with food, financial help, and free medical and dental care.

Jean was elected chair or president of several large agencies, and her ability to recruit volunteers and followers and initiate successful projects, and elicit community support in both good and bad times, attest to her leadership.

For thirty years she served our community in a wide range of volunteer activities:

• Founder and Executive Director, Share Our Selves (SOS)
• Chair, Orange County Human Relations Commission
• President, Feedback Foundation
• President, Health Care Council of Orange County
• Board of Directors: CalOptima, Save Our Youth, Public Law Center, Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, Families Costa Mesa, Women For: Orange County
• Advisory Board Member: O.C. Housing Authority; 5th District Juvenile Justice Commission; Bishop's Lay Advisory Board, Diocese of Orange

Jean Forbath has retired from many of the above activities and is ready for new challenges:

• Expanding educational opportunities for all, especially lower income students
• Strengthening and updating curriculum
• Improving communication among faculty, administration, the community, and the Board of Trustees
• Improving the transfer rate to four-year institutions
• Insuring Coast Community Colleges are a good first choice for all students

• Married to Frank Forbath
• They have seven children - all college graduates
• They have eight grandchildren
• They have lived in Costa Mesa since 1961
• She received her B.A., Secondary Teaching Credential, and M.A. from Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles
• She taught English and Latin in high school and English in college (also was a substitute at one time at O.C.C.)
• She has never before run for public office

• Citizen of the Year 2000, Orange Coast College,
• Headliner Award, Orange County Press Club
• Alexis de Tocqueville Award, United Way
• Humanitarian Award, Legal Aid Society
• Contributor to Justice Award, O.C. Bar Association
• Human Rights Award, O.C. United Nations Association
• Humanitarian Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews
• O.C. Human Relations Commission Award
• Paul Harris Fellow, Rotary International
• Alumna of the Year, Immaculate Heart College
• Paul Delp Peace Award, Interfaith Peace Ministry