For Immediate Release
November 1, 2022
Media Contact:
Katie Vavao, California Volunteers, 916-584-3620, Katie.Vavao@cv.ca.gov
California Volunteers, Assemblymember Garcia Deliver New Funds for College Corps in the Inland Region
New program helps low-income students graduate college on time and with less debt
INDIO, Calif. – Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday joined Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia and officials from College of the Desert and FIND Food Bank for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Indio campus student food pantry and a check presentation to College of the Desert for the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program.
“Meeting community needs through the invaluable service of #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Fellows, who are earning scholarships to help pay for school, is a win for all of us,” said California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. “We are thrilled to see the benefits of this program already coming to life.”
The #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program is a new opportunity for thousands of California college students to serve their communities in critical issue areas such as climate action, education, and food insecurity.
“College of the Desert is doing an excellent job engaging students, expanding partnerships, and being at the forefront of innovative opportunities to provide financial support for students. We are grateful to California Volunteers, the Office of the Governor and the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps for this $1.8 million investment in our Coachella Valley,” said Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia. “Together with local partners, this program will build a new generation of young leaders willing to step up and serve the community, alleviate food insecurity, and help make the dream of a college education more attainable for our students.”
Fellows in College Corps at College of the Desert will work with community leaders to address food insecurities in the Coachella Valley while achieving their college goals.
“Food insecurities are a real problem for many college students. College of the Desert is grateful to collaborate with community partners to help students struggling with food insecurity on a local level. Students participating in the program will also learn skills that relate to the working world.” said Dr. Martha Garcia, College of the Desert Superintendent/President.Students who complete a year of service will be eligible to receive up to $10,000. College of the Desert’s year-long service opportunity will be with FIND Food Bank. Fellows will learn about the efforts to address food insecurity in the Coachella Valley as well as take part in direct service activities.
“This program is an opportunity to engage students with the issues affecting our community that also teaches transferrable leadership skills from working in warehouse logistics, retail, and programmatic development,” said Debbie Espinosa, Food Bank President & CEO. “Food insecurity impacts college students too. By having this pathway to lessen the burden of student debt while giving a platform for students to share their voices and address local problems, we’re cultivating our future leaders to make a lifetime of impact.”
Students can learn more by visiting www.cacollegecorps.com.
INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE: California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday. Contact Katie Vavao, Katie.Vavao@cv.ca.gov, or call 916-584-3620.
LIVESTREAM RECORDINGS:
Facebook: https://fb.watch/gxfJLzVa3S/
YouTube: https://youtu.be/8ibM9D5Jfk4
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Led by California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, California Volunteers, Office of the Governor empowers Californians to take action to improve their communities. #CaliforniansForAll is a California Volunteers service initiative launched in response to COVID-19 to establish a volunteer corps to support the state’s response to emergencies and disasters.
