CAMP program accepting applications
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 $2,000, free tutoring, access to technology, career development support, internship and service learning opportunities, academic success workshops and other support.
A student is eligible if they meet one of the following criteria:
- They or their immediate family members have engaged in migrant seasonal farm work for at least 75 days within the last 24 months,
- They have participated or been eligible to participate in the Title 1C Migrant Education Program (MEP)
- Has qualified for the Workforce Investment Act 167 Program (WIA 167), formerly the High School Equivalency Program (HEP).
“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.”
For Aylin Hernandez-Lopez who is pursuing an engineering degree, CAMP has provided needed support to help her succeed.
“CAMP has helped me remember not to lose hope even when I’m dealing with a lot and to confide in those that are willing to help and listen. It has also taught me that it is okay to fail sometimes but you need to rise up [from that failure] and change for the better.”
The program has also helped Hernandez-Lopez network and expand her knowledge outside of the classroom, this summer allowing her to participate in an internship with Yakima Morelia Sister City Association. For the internship she is learning Adobe Premiere Pro and helping with interviewing, design and event planning for some of the Yakima Valley’s events including the annual Day of Dead celebration hosted at the Valley Mall.
“I’m enjoying every moment of this internship because it’s interesting to get to hear people’s stories about their experience with the Day of the Dead. I have celebrated the Day of the Dead throughout my life, but others have not. From the stories I heard, many cultures come together to build their own version of an altar during this event. It’s an event for everyone to get a little piece of a different culture that isn’t their own and to have a great time.”
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.
Press Release Contacts:
Dustin Wunderlich / 509.574.6870 / dwunderlich@yvcc.edu
Stefanie Menard / 509.574.4646 / smenard@yvcc.edu