My name is Rocio. I’m from Hidalgo, Mexico. I came to the United States 29 years ago. I lived in Sunnyside for 15 years and then moved to Grandview. I have four children, and I am currently separated. In the winter, I will be taking English classes at Yakima Valley College. I decided to enter community college because the more educated you are, the more doors open and the more possibilities you have for learning more things. I know that education has power.
My professional goal is to be a social worker or a nurse because since my children were little, I have seen racism. Our community has a lot of needs, and not all people treat us equally. But I have also had people who have helped me, and I liked that work of helping others.
Free college is essential to me because we have seen that many young people and parents want to continue with their dreams and goals. Still, there are obstacles, such as student debt, which is one of the largest, so many people are not prepared to navigate the system, or they do not give us the information. That is why I support free college: so that there are more opportunities, more jobs, more young people, and more parents who want to continue their studies. Our salaries are the lowest and do not allow us to continue studying. The cost of living is increasing, as is food and housing, and for parents who have children in college, it is even more difficult to want to study or continue studying because of how expensive life is.
We weigh up whether to study or work. I have not heard of the Workstudy program, but now that I know I would like to join, my status does not allow me to, but if there were, I would have the opportunity to follow my dreams, which would push me to continue moving forward. I would have more opportunities, not only economically, but also the knowledge I can continue to obtain that would help me continue moving forward.
I am also part of C4C because I am learning that I cannot only educate myself but also continue learning and moving forward. I ask that you please consider supporting free college and providing a pathway for undocumented students. Please empathize with us because it would open the doors for students to follow their dreams. If you support us, we will all benefit.
Rocio Tellez, Yakima