For Immediate Release
May 11, 2022
Media Contact:
Katie Vavao, Katie.Vavao@cv.ca.gov (530) 306-0816
California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday and Northern California Education Leaders Kick Off #CaliforniansForAll College Corps Recruitment in Chico
New service initiative helps low-income students graduate college on time and with less debt
CHICO, Calif. – Today, California Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday joined campus officials from Northern California colleges to encourage students to apply for the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program – 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.
Students will strengthen their futures by receiving $10,000 for completing a year of service performing valuable work in their communities. This groundbreaking program intends to unite young Californians of all backgrounds in service and will create opportunities for AB 540 CA Dream Act Students to serve their communities.
“Students are graduating with crippling debt. This service and career development program helps create a debt-free college pathway while promoting service. If you are willing to serve your community and give back in a meaningful way, we are going to help you pay for college. This is a win-win-win: Helping to pay for college, gaining valuable work experience, and having a meaningful impact on your community,” said Fryday.
Over the next two years, College Corps will engage 6,500 California undergraduates in service — roughly the size of the entire Peace Corps. This service and career development program will help build a diverse class of leaders set to transform California for the better. Funding was made possible by the efforts of Governor Gavin Newsom and lawmakers.
Applications opened April 1, 2022. Students can learn more and apply 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.
Gayle Hutchinson, Chico State President:
“Chico State is honored to partner with the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program, which aligns beautifully with our institutional values and strategic priories of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Civic and Global Engagement, and Resilient and Sustainable Systems. The funding to students who participate in the program enables them to learn and serve the community with more security for their own basic needs, such as food and housing. The benefit to the community is invaluable as well. Students who complete the program are not only ready for the workforce, but they are also better equipped to solve the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.”
Samia Yaqub, Superintendent/President of Butte College:
“Butte College is pleased to be a recruiting partner and provide a vital community college student pipeline for the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program. Our students in the North State have faced many challenges over the last few years, with the devastating Camp Fire, Bear Fire, and pandemic. Many of our community college students who are transferring are struggling to afford college and this program provides service-learning opportunities which benefit our local communities and non-profits upon transfer. Thanks to state funding, Butte College offers first-time full time students free college for two years through the Promise Program, and now this program helps those students that plan to transfer to CSU, Chico.”
Joe Wyse, Shasta College Superintendent/President:
“I am excited that Shasta College is bringing this substantial scholarship opportunity to our students while helping enrich the communities we serve through civic engagement. Many of the students in our rural areas were disproportionally impacted due to the pandemic. The educational scholarships offered through the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program will help those economically disadvantaged students pursue a more financially secure future through degree or certificate attainment. At Shasta College we’re committed to educating the whole student, and this program is the perfect opportunity for students to gain real-world experience, learn civic responsibility, and strive toward financial independence.”
Char Perlas, College of the Siskiyous Superintendent/President:
“College of the Siskiyous is honored to have been chosen as one of 45 colleges and universities to participate in this innovative program, which will help thousands of students pay for college while they give back to their communities. This program provides our students with an invaluable opportunity to not only contribute to their communities, but also to help prepare the next generation of students for success.”
Keith Flamer, College of the Redwoods President/Superintendent:
“College of the Redwoods is excited to have been selected as one of just 48 California colleges and universities to participate in the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps program. I’m sure we will have no shortage of enthusiastic, capable students who will be interested in participating and working with local non-profits on the most critical issues facing us today. I look forward to seeing the opportunities this program offers transform both the individual students and our community.”
Davion Johnson, California Climate Action Corps Fellow:
“I joined Climate Action Corps because I wanted to work at Chico State and do important work. I took a leap of faith and haven’t looked back. Students will benefit from #CaliforniansForAll College Corps’ mission and leadership by developing professional skills and networks.”
Ben Chang, California Climate Action Corps Fellow:
“I joined California Climate Action Corps to be hands-on with one of the greatest environmental and social threats – wildfires. Students in these kinds of program work to restore forests to become more adaptable, strengthen rural communities in the wildland urban interface, and jump start their careers.”
Aimee Allenegui, California Climate Action Corps Fellow:
“I have this immense appreciation for our environment. I grew up surrounded by redwoods and spent my summers in nature. So, when this opportunity [being a CA Climate Action Fellow] came up, why wouldn’t I join a cause that further fosters that appreciation and helps create opportunities for future generations. That’s the beauty of College Corps! You can take climate action, gain work experience, and learn new skills – while focusing on your studies and getting aid.”
LIVESTREAM:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lPI2KcYuAw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaStateUniversityChico
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/366761632165188/posts/378179331023418
###
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.
