This college tour saw a group of 14 young women traveling throughout the lower part of the state to visit prestigious schools such as the University of California Los Angeles. The focus of the tour was to highlight the importance of higher learning, spread cultural awareness, and raise political consciousness both in the classrooms and the community.
Courtesy photos.
“For many of our students who can’t image being able to go to college for various reasons, this trip helps to turn an unrealistic dream into a tangible reality by setting foot on the campus and receiving a tour from either a previous CELEBRE student or just someone with a similar background as them,” said Kris Reid, Director of Education. “These field trips can make the difference between being college bound and being a dreamer.”
CELEBRE is an extension of PSHH’s College Club, a site-based educational program which equips low-income Latina students with the skills and knowledge to attend a higher education institution. In addition to College Club’s general support helping students apply for school admission and financial aid, CELEBRE empowers first-generation students to overcome gender inequities and cultural barriers that may prevent them from succeeding in higher education.
“This was the first trip where a previously enrolled CELEBRE student, Luisa Dominguez, gave us a tour of her new school, California State University Dominguez Hills,” said Itzelt Santos, Senior Education Manager. “At CSU Fullerton and UCLA we also had cousins of some of our students give us a tour. This made the trip that much more special and empowering for our students”
Through college tours, parent workshops, and vocational networking, these pioneering students envision themselves achieving academic excellence and being the first in their family to attend college.
“Education is a key building block for a successful future,” said Ken Trigueiro, PSHH CEO and President. “The CELEBRE program provides young women and girls the tools and resources to not only reach higher education, but to thrive from it.”
To learn more about People’s Self-Help Housing and support the CELEBRE program, visit pshhc.org/celebre.
About People’s Self-Help Housing (PSHH) — Founded in 1970, PSHH is the longest-serving nonprofit affordable housing organization on the Central Coast. With a mission of building homes and providing services to strengthen communities and change lives, PSHH serves low-income households, working families, seniors, veterans, farmworkers, those living with disabilities and the formerly homeless. It also provides homeownership opportunities through a self-help, “sweat equity” program that has seen over 1,200 homes successfully completed. PSHH has a presence in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Monterey counties, manages over 2,000 rental units, and employs over 200 staff members. PSHH acknowledges the indigenous people of the territories that our organization occupies, including the Chumash, Salinan, Yokuts, Kitanemuk, and Tataviam people. To read the full land acknowledgement, visit pshhc.org/IDEA. For more information about the organization, visit pshhc.org, email info@pshhc.org or phone (805) 781-3088.