35 Pasadena City College Students Join Wildfire Recovery Service Effort

Pasadena City College students gather for the launch of an eight-month community service fellowship supporting wildfire recovery efforts (Photo – Alan Alexander)

Thirty-five Pasadena City College students began an eight-month commitment to wildfire recovery and community service Monday, joining the college’s second cohort of California College Corps fellows.

By Alan Alexander

Held in the Creveling Lounge at Pasadena City College, the kickoff ceremony highlighted PCC’s second-year pilot of the California College Corps Fellowship, an eight-month, government-funded initiative that pairs ambitious students with local nonprofits and organizations to make an impact on pressing issues.

During the ceremony, Dr. José Gómez, president of Pasadena City College, led the fellows in an oath of “meaningful service” and formally swore them into the program. Senator Sasha Renee Perez also delivered remarks, congratulating the cohort on the opportunity and stressing the importance of “applying what students learn in classrooms out in the community.”

PCC has partnered with more than 17 local organizations, including Western Justice Center and Altadena Girls, to deeply involve students in post-wildfire recovery efforts. Over the next eight months, students will work closely with their advisors to engage with wildfire-affected residents and provide timely resources to the community.

“It’s really special because not a lot of community colleges get to be a part of the College Corps system,” said Jackie Sacoto, director of the Freeman Center for Career and Completion and one of the primary facilitators of the program. “I’m hoping that we’re able to use College Corps to connect more deeply with our local community and give our students meaningful experiences while earning stipends.”

Through the fellowship, PCC is giving students hands-on experience while directing their service toward residents and organizations still recovering from recent wildfires.

Alan Alexander is studying international relations and global communications at Pasadena City College..