Defending College Access: A Message From the Executive Director
By Jon Osaki, Executive Director
On Friday, May 2nd, the White House released a wish list of budget priorities that reinforce a complete disregard for Americans in need and a clear path to lower taxes for the ultra-wealthy. Among the $163 billion in proposed reductions is the complete elimination of the college access services that JCYC has been providing to low-income, first-generation college students for over four decades.
In typical Trump Administration fashion, the OMB Director Russell Vought has fabricated a false narrative about these critical services by claiming they are a “relic” that serves as a handout to institutions of higher education. The OMB Director goes on to make the uninformed claim that “access to college is not the obstacle it was for students of limited means."
Those who grow up with wealth and privilege would have no concept of the obstacles that those served by these programs must overcome. I will not waste time explaining how blaming and passing the financial burden onto another entity is a misguided strategy that harms students in need. What I will share is who we serve through these programs and what JCYC and institutions around the country have been able to achieve.
Through JCYC's Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound programs, we serve students who will be the first in their families to enroll and graduate from college. These programs, referred to nationally as “TRIO” were established by President Lyndon B. Johnson as a strategy to combat the War on Poverty and authorized under the Higher Education Act of 1968. The young people who participate do not have the luxury of families who can guide them through the college application process, have the means to provide academic assistance, or navigate the complex financial aid system. These are young people who often must work to supplement the family income and, in some instances, lack basic necessities such as food and stable homes.
What these students receive from JCYC's College Access programs are caring individuals who have chosen to dedicate their professional careers to the educational achievement of young people. JCYC's Educational Advisors provide compassionate and expert guidance that these students might otherwise not receive. Students who need additional attention or face severe challenges at home often rely on JCYC's Educational Advisors to provide academic assistance, course planning, standardized test preparation, and many other critical educational support services.
At JCYC, we believe that America prospers when we all have the means to pursue higher education and opportunities to build wealth. TRIO programs work, and to propose eliminating programs that can build generational wealth for thousands of families further amplifies an agenda to maintain and widen the racial wealth gap in this country.
How You Can Help:
Answer this call for advocacy, as well as others, to hold our Congressional Representatives accountable for prioritizing TRIO programs.
Support JCYC’s College Access Program by purchasing a ticket to the Excellence in Education Awards event on May 29th or contributing to JCYC’s Give in May campaign.
JCYC will never accept attempts to benefit the privileged at the expense of those seeking a better life in America. To prevail in this fight, JCYC will count on our many supporters and the thousands of successful alumni we've had the honor of serving. Thank you so much for believing in what we do, and know we will never give up on those who need us.
Sincerely,
Jon Osaki
Executive Director
