A state lauded for its innovation in tech takes on a problem with an innovative approach. California Gov. Newsom welcomed 3,200 students as College Corps fellows at 46 partnering colleges and universities across the state. Fellows will be granted up to $10,000 for a year of community service – tutoring or mentoring low-income K-12 students, distributing meals, or focusing efforts on climate action. An initiative launched in 2021, College Corps’ #CaliforniansForAll is the largest state-funded college service program in the country and it’s the first of its kind. In a media briefing hosted by Ethnic Media Services, speakers share the vision behind the #CaliforniansForAll program and what it aims to achieve.

Speakers

(L-r) Josh Friday, Debbie S. Espinosa, Wendi Lizola, Ali Alani
(L-r) Josh Friday, Debbie S. Espinosa, Wendi Lizola, Ali Alani
  • Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer
  • Debbie S. Espinosa, President & CEO, FIND Food Bank
  • Wendi Lizola, student fellow, CSUS
  • Ali Alani, student fellow, UCSD

COVID-19 – yes, even this program has a connection to the pandemic – brought forth a slew of challenges for many students. Learning disparities were exacerbated and now it’s time to address the issue. For a better future, the minds of today must support the brilliant minds of tomorrow. The #CalifoniansForAll program aims to ease the burden of low-income college students, as well as address the learning disparity faced by low-income K-12 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the vision of bringing 6,500 students over the next two years, the program is slated to receive $146 million in funding to support the students.

The Fellows – Low-Income College Students

  • 80% of fellows hail from ethnic communities
  • 58% of fellows are first-generation college students
  • 68% of fellows are eligible for the Federal Pell grant
  • 500 fellows are also Dreamers

Ali Alani, a second-year CS student at UC San Diego, shares that his goal was to help students. He also adds the fact that the program allows him to focus on his education while helping with the funding of his education. Alani hopes to match the impact his teachers had on his life.

Wendi Lizola, a Sacramento State University Pediatric Nurse student, recalls her experience in the American education system. As a first-generation undocumented student, Lizola shares the struggle of not understanding English and her family working long hours to provide a living. “I remember I got frustrated with myself,” she said.

For Lizola, joining the College Corps is more personal. She has the opportunity to guide and empathize with students facing similar struggles. Lizola also rejoiced about the fact that her education cost has been covered. “It felt like a miracle, it was just able to cover everything that I needed.”

The Impact

Seeing this program as a win for society and the state, Josh Fryday, California Chief Service Officer, points out that the program will spark a new generation of professionals, eager to serve the community. This is extraordinary, especially at a time when California and the whole country face many hurdles in the coming years.

Debbie S. Espinosa, President & CEO of FIND Food Bank, shares that growing food insecurity had a negative impact on learning. Learning loss faced by students were part of working families with less than 2% unhoused. Espinosa also shares that college students will gain new transferable skills as they drive change for their peers and the community.

Final Thoughts

By supporting college students and connecting them to K-12 students dealing with similar hardships, this program focuses on making the future better for the minds of tomorrow.

California has taken a progressive step forward in providing higher education access to low-income students who are burdened with the exorbitant cost associated with acquiring a college degree.

Compared to federal aid and various scholarship programs, this program provides the opportunity for college students with limited resources to give back to their community and help younger students dealing with similar hardships.

Here’s to a better tomorrow with more opportunities for the next generation in California.