COD Inducts Third College Corps Class

59 More College Students Get Paid to Study and Volunteer in College Corps

 

PALM DESERT — College of the Desert swore in its third College Corps cohort on Monday at its Indio Campus. Some 59 students were inducted into the program with the help of Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday from the California Volunteers department of the Office of the Governor and Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia.

College Corps is part of a state grant that is designed to reduce college debt, engage college students in public service and leadership opportunities, and better the community.

Fellows in College Corps will build their leadership skills and work with community leaders to address critical issues in the Coachella Valley while achieving their college goals.

Also at the swearing, this year’s cohort held a food distribution opportunity through FIND Food Bank that is open to the public. Members of the community are invited to attend the induction ceremony, take home food items, and learn more about the program by observing College Corps fellows at work.

Fellows from College of the Desert’s first and second College Corps cohort were also be in attendance. These students bear witness to the program’s unique opportunities. They successfully completed their volunteer hours and received invaluable work experience and $10,000 each for their education and living expenses.

“We are honored to be a part of this state-wide program and to have our partnership renewed for a third cohort,” said Jocelyn Vargas, Basic Needs Manager at College of the Desert. “This program does immeasurable good for our students and the community.”

The 2024-25 cohort holds the potential for 26,550 volunteer hours which will be directed towards FIND Food Bank, an organization that supplies food for 90% of the local establishments that help people facing food insecurity in the Desert area. On average, FIND helps feed 125,500 people per month.

 

To learn more about College Corps at College of the Desert, please visit https://www.collegeofthedesert.edu/students/basic-needs/college-corps.php