Members of San Diego’s congressional delegation secured $3.4 million in funding from the U.S. Congress for the San Diego Community College District.
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, Congressman Scott Peters, and Congressman Juan Vargas presented representatives from the San Diego Community College District with a check for $3.4 million in funding from the U.S. Congress.
The funding was approved in Dec. 2022 as a part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, aimed to provide $1.2 million to serve lesbian, gay and transgender students better, $1 million for an initiative to expand service at the San Diego College of Continuing Education and $1.2 million for new and expanded centers that serve undocumented students.
“These funds will support the academic success of our students, particularly students who face unique challenges as they pursue their education,” said Carlos O. Cortez, chancellor of the San Diego Community College District. “I want to thank Representatives Sara Jacobs, Scott Peters, and Juan Vargas for championing this funding on our behalf to support these students and our colleges.”
Rep. Jacobs obtained the $1.2 million to support LGBTQIA+ students to create or expand Pride Centers throughout the San Diego Community College District. The Pride Centers offer a safe space for persons of all sexual or gender identities and provide education, dialogue, and research on issues related to sexuality and gender.
The grant will be used to hire a regional coordinator, who will act as a liaison among many local agencies and provide services for LGBTQ students. According to college officials, the funding will also be used to find an annual leadership academy that encourages students to support the LGBT community, along with a weekly program that develops leadership for LGBT high school and junior high school-aged youth.
The $1 million grant secured by Re. Peters aims to fund the Gateway to College and Career Program at the San Diego College of Continuing Education for former foster care youth. The program has offered services, learning opportunities, training, and internships to foster youth.
A $1.2 million grant sponsored by Rep. Vargas will support Dreamer Resource Centers at the four colleges, which serve undocumented students, including Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by offering help with registering for classes, financial aid, and readiness for college and a career. An estimated 1,200 undocumented students attend City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges. Another 2,000 students who are undocumented or come from families with undocumented members attend the non-credit San Diego College of Continuing Education.
