My name is Benjamin Gonzalez. I arrived in Washington about 11 years ago. I started taking ESL classes and recently received my GED. I work in the fields and started studying social work at Yakima Valley College.
The cost of college has had a great impact on my life, as it represents the main barrier to continuing my studies. As for the possibility of school being free, it would be a significant change. It would be like winning the lottery in terms of alleviating the worry about those expenses. I would feel calmer and could save faster to support myself while I study. Paying bills, books, gas, food, and rent adds to the challenge of succeeding in my education. I have two options: pay for the needs at home or go to school. I work in the fields Monday through Friday and in a restaurant on the weekends, taking up my seven days a week and I don’t make enough money for both.
We are here today because it is important for students to organize and take action because we are the ones who see, the ones who feel the need for free college and other benefits. We need our representatives and senators to support our laws and proposals to guarantee better access to education. We are in a country of opportunities and if these opportunities do not occur today, we will stop giving up because they may occur tomorrow. Although we do not always get 100% of what we want, we must not give up and continue fighting for a future with more opportunities.
Benjamin Gonzalez, Yakima