SAN FRANCISCO — Community college supporters across California joined hands Sunday to raise awareness and scholarship money for students struggling to pay for college.
Organizers of Hands Across California say the statewide event is expected to be among the largest fundraising events in higher education.
Tens of thousands of participants joined hands to create human chains across at least 53 of California’s 112 community colleges. Many campuses also are planning rallies, fairs and performances.
About 130 people, many of them seniors who said they attended continuing education classes at community colleges, held hands in a chain near City College of San Francisco’s downtown campus, forming a chain that was about a city block in length. Some wore yellow shirts that read, “No Cutbacks.”
Dennis Tan, 21, a freshman at City College of San Francisco majoring in business, came to the United States from China about a year and a half ago and wants to eventually go to a four-year school.
“I’m a new immigrant, so I can learn a lot from City College,” he said. “Language skills, communication skills, writing skills, computer skills.”
Tan said he has received a scholarship and is currently on financial aid.
