On Saturday, October 25, at Yakima Valley College, Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) brought together more than 80 students, families, and community members for a day of learning, dialogue, and collective action. The gathering—Making College More Accessible—was designed not only to provide information on college admissions, scholarships, and professional licensing but also to cultivate community leadership, strengthen grassroots organizing, and empower our communities to transform the policies that shape their lives.
A Day of Learning and Action
From the early morning hours, student volunteers worked hard to prepare the space—setting up registration tables, organizing materials, and ensuring a warm, welcoming environment for attendees. Their efforts helped create an atmosphere of care and collaboration that defined the entire event.
Despite cold weather and ongoing fears surrounding ICE activity in the region, the turnout was inspiring. Families arrived with children in tow, ready to learn, connect, and take action. Throughout the day, participants engaged in meaningful conversations about key challenges facing their communities—such as threats to higher education funding, attacks on immigrant students, and the rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Together, they explored strategies to overcome these barriers and ensure that every student—regardless of immigration status or income—can pursue a college education.
Collective Reflection and Empowerment
Participants broke into small groups to reflect on their own educational journeys and identify solutions rooted in community support. Guided by four key questions, attendees discussed:
- Why they came to the event and the challenges they’ve faced accessing higher education.
- What solutions they envision to make college more attainable.
- How they can expand their networks and strengthen support through C4C.
- How they can help one another continue on the path to college.
The answers reflected both courage and determination:
“I’m here to learn more and understand the challenges—especially financial ones.”
“I came to get information to support my children, and as a mother, I also want to study. My main challenge is learning English and affording school.”
“I’m a single mother and want to be a teacher, but it’s hard to care for my child and study at the same time.”
“My dream is to become a nurse, but I never had the opportunity because of financial barriers.”
Building Networks for Action
One of the most powerful outcomes of the day was the creation of a community support network focused on immigration issues. Participants formed a WhatsApp group called C4C Halcón, which will serve as a rapid-response and mutual-aid network to keep members informed and connected—especially in moments of community need.
The event concluded with a raffle of donated gifts from local businesses, a gesture that reinforced the spirit of solidarity and shared purpose that ran through the day.
Continuing the Movement
“Making College More Accessible” advanced the goals of our campaign: to expand access to higher education, promote racial and economic justice, and build community power across Washington’s community and technical colleges. As attendees left Yakima Valley College, they carried not just new information—but renewed confidence, stronger relationships, and a collective commitment to continue organizing for change.
