Hands Across California

On Sunday, April 17, 2011, history will be made as nearly 2 million people join hands in one continuous line up and down California, all in support of California Community Colleges and their nearly 3 million students.

Hands Across California will raise awareness of California Community Colleges like never before by being the largest-ever event held by any system of higher education. But more importantly, it will increase financial support for California’s Community College students—a truly worthy cause. Due to the ever-increasing cost of an education, California Community College students are facing a crisis of affordability, with many being forced to abandon their education each and every day because of financial hardships. Nearly 90 percent of full-time students are in need of financial aid, and almost half of all students have no resources to pay for college.

This is why Hands Across California is so important. Funds raised through the event will directly support the California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment, a permanent fund that provides annual scholarships to thousands of students with the greatest need. And thanks to the generosity of The Bernard Osher Foundation, every dollar raised for the Endowment through Hands Across California will be matched by 50 percent, significantly increasing the impact of every donation. However, this opportunity doesn’t last forever. We as a system have only until June 2011 to benefit from the Osher Foundation’s generous matching opportunity, which is why the timing of Hands Across California is so critical.

Help us tell the world why California Community Colleges are so vital to the future, all while raising money toward scholarships that will support generations upon generations of students.

Get Involved!

Getting involved in this exciting event is simple:
• Lend your support to make this unparalleled and unique event a reality and bring new awareness of the needs of California Community College students. A sponsorship of this event will result in untold media coverage and public awareness of the need to enhance support to California Community Colleges, the training ground of tomorrow’s workforce.
• Make a commitment to stand with us on April, 17, 2011, by registering online at www.HandsAcrossCalifornia.org.
• Join the official Chaffey College Hands Across California group at www.firstgiving.com
• Encourage others to participate and donate to this important cause.

Watch for more information on local organizing efforts from the Associated Students of Chaffey College.