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Inland area education leaders and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond joined Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday in Riverside late last week to encourage students to apply for the new #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program.
The service initiative is designed to help low-income students graduate college on time and with less debt. The service program hopes to accomplish this in part by providing opportunities for thousands of California college students to serve their communities in critical issue areas such as climate action, education, and food insecurity.
Participating students can earn $10,000 for completing a year of service while gaining valuable experience by helping others in their community. This groundbreaking program intends to unite young Californians of all backgrounds in service, and specifically creates opportunities for AB 540 eligible Dreamers to serve their communities.
Defined as a service and career development program, the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps is a win-win-win as it offers debt-free pathways for students, who will gain valuable work experience, while investing in the long-term success of their community.
“RCC is honored to be chosen by Governor Newsom to participate as an inaugural College Corps member. Through this program, our students will thrive, gaining economic mobility and strengthening social justice,” said Riverside City College President, Gregory Anderson.
RCC District Chancellor, Wolde-Ab Isaac echoed these sentiments. “The colleges of the Riverside Community College District are thankful for the opportunity to participate in the first year of the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps. This program provides both the means and the opportunities for college students to deepen their knowledge of the needs of our local communities and strengthen their commitment to work with partner organizations.”
University and college officials across Riverside County concurred in their support of the new service program including Moreno Valley College President, Robin Steinback. Stressing Moreno Valley College’s long history of service Steinbeck advised “[We are] prepared to join Governor Newsom and our colleagues in higher education to support our students as they become the public service-oriented, problem-solving leaders of tomorrow through active engagement in their own communities today.”
Given all the challenges students have faced during the pandemic, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond believes this is the right time to link K-12 students with volunteer mentors and tutors through programs such as this one.“[This] is one more way we can support students as they heal and recover,” Thurmond explained. “Providing K-12 students with access to caring adult mentors is known to have meaningful positive outcomes including reducing youth violence and improving grades and school attendance.”