Migrant or seasonal farmworkers and their children have additional support available for pursuing higher education through Yakima Valley College’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP). Students can apply online to get started.
CAMP is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provides a range of support to help migrant or seasonal farmworkers and their children successfully complete the first year of college. Students receive a stipend of up to $1,300, free tutoring, access to technology, career development support, internship and service learning opportunities, academic success workshops and other support.
“I learned about advocacy and how to empower our community,” said Lucero Liliana Mendez CAMP alumni who served internships over the summer that focused on advocacy. “I also learned how to fight for our rights and about important environmental and financial issues that affect the farmworking community.”
“CAMP is incredibly successful in opening a pathway to higher education for the migrant farmworker community,” said Marivy Vasquez, director of CAMP at YVC. “Typically, as the first in the family to attend college, students experience challenges in navigating the college-going process and learning. The challenge is much more difficult for students with migrant or migrant seasonal farmworking backgrounds.
YVC is one of 52 institutions of higher education in the nation – and one of eight in Washington State – offering a CAMP program. Collectively, CAMP serves approximately 2,400 students annually with YVC having funding to support 40 students per year.
For more information about CAMP at YVC, contact Marivy Vasquez at mvasquez@yvcc.edu or 509.574-4701.