El Camino College formerly incarcerated student program gets $160,000 grant – Daily Breeze
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At El Camino College, some students have been impacted by the criminal justice system. The school’s Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving, or FIRST program, works to support those students — who often face significant educational barriers.
On May 2 El Camino’s FIRST program received a $160,000 grant from the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, which will be used to help students impacted by the criminal justice system with basic needs, academic support, and career development training.
El Camino is one of 59 colleges in the state to secure a Rising Scholars Network grant designed to support students who have been impacted by the criminal justice system.
A 2018 analysis conducted by the Prison Policy Initiative — a nonprofit, nonpartisan research and advocacy organization — found that formerly incarcerated people are eight times less likely to complete college than those in the general public.
And, about half of the formerly incarcerated population in the United States hold only a high school diploma or GED, “credentials which have diminishing value in today’s job market,” the PPI report said.
Throughout its lifetime, El Camino’s FIRST program has served 56 students. There are 40 students currently enrolled in the program, according to FIRST coordinator Ricky Gonzalez.
“Our students lead the way when it comes to our programming and offerings for what they need to be successful,” said Gonzalez, “from academic assistance to basic needs such as food and housing support.”
The program’s goal is to help formerly incarcerated students complete college successfully, through “various training/workshops, support groups, and counseling assistance that promote collaboration and community while removing systemic barriers and ensuring the successful completion of academic goals,” Gonzalez said.
With the $160,000 grant, El Camino will expand academic and professional development support services for those students.
“Funds from the grant will be used to provide dedicated academic counseling as well as success coach and advising services for students in the FIRST program,” an El Camino press release said. “Workshops focused on career training, transfer options, and job placement will also be available, in addition to activities that advocate for and strengthen opportunities for justice-impacted students.”
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