Discovering Promising Talent Through Community Organizing

In Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District’s (GCCCD) service area, there is a large refugee population, primarily from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, as well as immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. Our community has high rates of homelessness, low median incomes, low levels of education, few large employers, an expansive rural population, and the lowest rates of home ownership in San Diego County.  GCCCD wanted to serve its most in-need communities, but prior to this project did not have a way to reach them in a meaningful way. The Community Connections Program was started two years ago to reach untapped populations of low-income adults and connect them to higher education. This project has been highly successful, with more than 700 new students enrolling to strengthen their English and workforce skills. We have done this with just one staff member using community organizing principles to work with local schools and community organizations. Our trusted partners are local schools, social services agencies, career centers, churches, and labor unions that connect us with talented low-income individuals ready to increase their social mobility.

Innovators

• Joyce Liou, Manager, East Region Adult Education
• Mark Poupard, Chair, English as a Second Language
• Laurie Woods, Chair, English as a Second Language
• Camille Zombro, Manager, Special Projects