Rio Hondo College was selected as one of 45 partner campuses to participate in the new statewide #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program that aims to engage undergraduate students in solving problems in their communities while also learning key skills that will advance their own academic and career success. The program will pair students with community-based organizations that focus on pressing issues in K-12 education, climate action, and food insecurity in the eastern region of Los Angeles County.
THE COLLEGE CORPS INITIATIVE HAS THREE GOALS:
Goal 1
Engage college students in meaningful service opportunities that build leadership skills and civic responsibility.
Goal 2
Help students from diverse backgrounds graduate college on time and with less debt.
Goal 3
Support the work of community-based organizations focused on key local priorities.
WE ARE EXCITED TO INVITE STUDENTS TO CONSIDER MAKING COMMUNITY SERVICE A CORE PART OF THEIR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.
Benefits
- A living allowance paid monthly throughout service term, plus an Education Award paid upon completion of 450 service hours. Total financial benefit up to $10,000.
- Real-world job experience and skills to add to your resume
- Access to training, networking, and professional development opportunities
- Connections with Fellows across the state via a virtual community platform and in-person regional events
- A sense of pride and accomplishment in working toward a common purpose alongside young leaders from across the state
Commitment
Fellows will serve for at least 450 service hours (about 15 hours per week) through the duration of the progam year at K-12 schools, food banks/pantries, or climate action organizations to build healthier and more equitable communities across California. They will do this in a variety of ways:
- K-12 Education: Partner with local school districts to provide tutoring and mentoring services to school aged students.
- Climate Action: Partner with local organizations to promote sustainability, energy conservation, environmental education/justice, etc.
- Food Insecurity: Partner with local organizations to provide food/nutrition support and promote awareness of food insecurity across the community.
Fellows will also paticipate in regularly scheduled development wokshops, including a combination of mentorship and coaching, skill-building workshops, and peer learning and exchange that aim for personal and professional growth.
Eligibility
To participate in College Corps, students must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or its equivalent
- Full-time, enrolled student for the entire 2023-2024 academic year
- Ability to commit to the program for the full academic year (12-15 hours per week)
- Must be a US Citizen, US National, legal permanent resident, or AB 540 CA Dream Act student
Financial Need: This program is designed to support low- to moderate-income students. Students selected to join the Fellowship must need to work at least part time and/or borrow student loans to meet their educational costs, and should meet at least one (1) of the following three priority criteria for the 2023-24 academic year:
- Qualifies for a Federal Pell Grant
- Qualifies for a State Cal Grant or Middle Class Scholarship
- Is AB-540 Eligible
- Must have a completed & submitted California Dream Act Application (CADAA) for 2024-2025 academic year.
- Must be an active recipient of a Cal Grant B Award for the 2024-2025 academic year OR be an active recipient of a Cal Grant A Award who is also Cal Grant B eligible
