On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, Rancho Cielo (RC) proudly celebrated a historic milestone as three recent graduates—Isabel Patino, Anthony Trejo and Jesus “Chuy” Hernandez—became the first recipients of the RIDE (Rancho Invests in Driving Equity) Car Scholarship Award. This initiative aims to remove transportation barriers and empower students as they transition into higher education and the workforce.
During the ceremony, RC CEO Chris Devers, RC Founder Judge John Phillips, RC Equity Committee Chair Jamie Kitz and RC Board Member Don Chapin, Jr. highlighted a reoccurring theme: breaking down barriers to success for students. Among the most persistent challenges is access to reliable transportation.
Chuy Hernandez, a 2024 Welding & Fabrication graduate, shared his journey. As a full-time student at Hartnell College juggling two part-time jobs, transportation is critical for balancing his demanding schedule.
“This car has already made a huge impact on my life,” Chuy said. “This car has given me the opportunity to maintain two jobs and get to my college classes.”
Now studying psychology, Chuy aspires to support young people facing challenges like his own.
Addressing a Critical Need
Rancho Cielo operates a fleet of buses and passenger vans that transport nearly 100 students daily, 183 days a year, covering a 225-mile round trip. Additionally, we partner with MST (Monterey-Salinas Transit) and the Monterey County Hospitality Association to provide bus passes for students, including those traveling from the furthest reaches of Monterey County. Most recently, MST launched Route 40, which comes directly to campus for morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up, Monday through Friday.
In 2023, RC launched a driver’s education program in partnership with Drive Carmel—filling a gap no longer covered in traditional high schools—to equip students with essential driving skills and a means to acquire their driver’s license and an important form of identification. So far, 145 students have participated in Rancho Cielo’s driver’s education cohorts, with over 115 earning their permits and more than 70 receiving licenses. By covering all DMV-related expenses and transportation to and from the DMV, RC ensures that students have the necessary tools to achieve mobility and independence.
“Not only does a driver’s license symbolize equity, inclusion and independence, but it also provides students with critical skills to support their families and professional aspirations,” said Jamie Kitz. “Many trades require a license for job functions and commuting to work sites, making this program invaluable.”
A Transformational Opportunity
The RIDE Car Scholarship, introduced in 2024 by the Board’s Equity Committee, represents a significant step forward in student empowerment and is a natural progression of RC’s work toward driving equity. Eligible participants who completed the driver’s education program were invited to apply for this life-changing opportunity. The selection process was rigorous, involving an extensive application and in-person interviews with a panel of advisors.
With the introduction of the RIDE Car Scholarship, Rancho Cielo has taken another bold step in ensuring students have the transportation they need to succeed. The program stands as a testament to RC’s ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers and creating equitable opportunities for all.
