Community Impact Award

Legacy Education

For more than 15 years, Legacy Education has demonstrated how career training and community service can go hand in hand. Across its schools – High Desert Medical College (HDMC), Central Coast College (CCC), Integrity College of Health (ICH), and Contra Costa Medical Career College (CCMCC) – students and faculty partner with local organizations to deliver essential services, provide care, and strengthen the communities they call home.

At HDMC, students contribute to community health in multiple ways. Through a partnership with the California Dental Association, they provide free dental care for children and adults throughout the year. Veterinary technology students from HDMC and CCC volunteer at Celebrity Ranch, Sugarplum Zoo & Chocolates, SC Western, Bellarian Farm, Hidden Hills Ranch, and Wonder Wood Ranch, treating rescue animals and assisting with the maintenance of facilities that serve both animals and people. Each Thanksgiving, HDMC also supports families by leading a food drive for Community Mission of Hope and Grace Resources, donating canned goods and packaged food to local food banks.

HDMC students and staff also take part in a range of fundraising and outreach activities. They raise funds for Rancho Damacitas, supporting former foster youth and single mothers. Annual fundraisers benefit Jacob’s House and Habitat for Humanity, providing resources for families of hospitalized patients and for housing projects. Through month-long efforts, the school raises funds and awareness for Michelle’s Place, an organization dedicated to cancer services. During the holiday season, HDMC joins the Temecula Fire Department’s Spark of Love Toy Drive, collecting toys for local families in need. In addition, the campus partners with the American Red Cross and Houchin Community Blood Bank to host regular blood drives, and supports the National Marrow Donor Program by expanding the stem cell registry through student donations.

The commitment extends beyond health to maternal care and support for women. HDMC students participate in the CareNet Annual Walk, raising funds for women in need of maternal services. Legacy Education CEO LeeAnn Rohmann also serves as a long-time board member of CareNet, reinforcing the institution’s leadership in this work.

Integrity College of Health (ICH) focuses on meeting the needs of underserved populations in Los Angeles. In partnership with T’Ena Health, students provide free healthcare screenings to homeless and low-income communities. ICH also works with the Pasadena Humane Society through its Wiggle Waggle Wagon program, supporting animal adoptions and outreach events. Additionally, ICH collaborates with Polishing the Professional, where staff assist students and community members with significant disabilities in preparing for employment.

Contra Costa Medical Career College (CCMCC) emphasizes mental health awareness and support. Each year, students and staff participate in the Out of the Darkness Walk organized by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, raising funds and awareness for suicide prevention efforts.

These partnerships provide students with opportunities to apply their classroom learning directly in the community. They deliver healthcare, support vulnerable populations, contribute to housing initiatives, and engage in meaningful service projects that meet pressing needs. In turn, students develop interpersonal skills, confidence, and compassion while preparing for careers in healthcare and related fields.

Legacy Education’s approach reflects a simple principle: every act of service strengthens both the student and the community. By working with organizations ranging from food banks and health clinics to animal rescues and national health networks, Legacy schools create a lasting impact that extends far beyond the classroom.