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 enterContinue reading “Student Story: Rocio Tellez”
Author Archives: ourcolleges_admin
Student Story: Lucero Mendez
Hello, my name is Lucero Mendez. I am 25 years old and was born and raised in the Yakima Valley. I am currently a college student getting my Associate’s degree at Yakima Valley College. With my degree, I hope to transfer to a four-year university to obtain a master’s in psychology and become a schoolContinue reading “Student Story: Lucero Mendez”
Student Story: King Sambonge
My name is King Sambonge, twenty-six years old and I come from Angola. I love to go karting and play chess. I am the president of the chess club at North Seattle College. I was already working in Angola when I decided that I would want to continue my education in the U.S. to sharpenContinue reading “Student Story: King Sambonge”
HB 1889: Professional Licenses for All WA’s Immigrants
In 2024, the WA state legislature passed HB 1889, which clarifies the rules for professional licenses to allow all qualified residents, regardless of immigration status, to apply for and receive professional licenses. Further, a state agency or authority cannot deny an application solely on the basis of a person’s immigration status if the person hasContinue reading “HB 1889: Professional Licenses for All WA’s Immigrants”
Press Release: Gov. Inslee Signed Expanded Access to Professional Licenses for All Immigrants
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 13, 2024 Contact: Fernando Mejia Ledesma | fernando@juststrategy.org Communities for Our College Campaign: Gov. Inslee Signed Expanded Access to Professional Licenses for All Immigrants Today, Governor J. Inslee signed SHB 1889 into law. This bill expands access to professional licenses to all immigrants in WA state. Students, faculty, and staff members at variousContinue reading “Press Release: Gov. Inslee Signed Expanded Access to Professional Licenses for All Immigrants”
MLK Action Day: #FreeCollegeforAll!
On MLK Day, students from across all of Washington joined together to advocate for Cost-Free College including wrap-around services and advising programs as well as professional licensure for all Washington immigrants. With over 120 attendees, students, faculty and community gathered, participated in a rally, and led the conversations with their local representatives and senators. ThereContinue reading “MLK Action Day: #FreeCollegeforAll!”
Press Release: Gov. Inslee Signed Expansion of Working Connections for Immigrant Families
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 Contact: Fernando Mejia Ledesma | fernando@juststrategy.org Communities for Our College Campaign: Gov. Inslee Signed Expansion of Working Connections for Immigrant Families Yesterday, Governor J. Inslee signed SSB 5225 into law. This legislation makes important adjustments to eligibility for the Working Connections Child Care program. While Washington State encouragesContinue reading “Press Release: Gov. Inslee Signed Expansion of Working Connections for Immigrant Families”
Report: Working Connections – The Need to Expand Child Care Access to Undocumented Students in Washington State
Child care is essential for student parents to succeed. Research shows that affordable, accessible child care plays an important role in helping student parents stay in school. But it’s becoming harder and harder for them to afford both child care and tuition. This report from Communities for Our Colleges documents the challenges to obtaining childContinue reading “Report: Working Connections – The Need to Expand Child Care Access to Undocumented Students in Washington State”
Student Story: Moises Chavez
My name is Moises Chavez. I am an English student at YVC. I am in a country where the official language is English. It is a necessity to know it, and this helps me to be able to advance. Knowing this language is a very important tool, and I would feel very proud to beContinue reading “Student Story: Moises Chavez”