Way2Success Brought Resources and Inspiration to Long Beach City College Students

The second annual Way2Success Community College Resource Fair, held in partnership with Long Beach City College (LBCC) on October 11, was a memorable event! Nearly 200 students were connected to resources to address their basic needs, received valuable guidance through academic and career workshops, and drew inspiration from uplifting stories that encouraged them to pursue their dreams.

Way2Success offered students and their families foundational support for a successful college and career pathway, covering topics ranging from the transfer process to maximizing financial aid and securing housing while in college.

2024 Way2Success Event's Highlights

In California, housing and food insecurity are major obstacles for community college students pursuing higher education. Approximately 60% experience housing insecurity, and one in four face homelessness during the academic year.

“Being a college student is difficult, and to be a college student in today’s economy is even more difficult,” said Justin Mendez, Director of the Basic Needs Center at LBCC. “We have an average of 2,300 students visiting our Viking Vault (LBCC Food Pantry) every single week, so we know that the need is high, and it’s because of community resources that we are able to help meet those needs. We are glad to partner with United Way to bring together those holistic resources during the fair because I know that will really benefit our students.”

Way2Success is part of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles Community College Success Initiative. It offers a mentorship program, financial hardship assistance through a flexible fund, and career and professional development. The objective is that students can successfully transition from community college into a career pathway, by transferring to a higher education institution, obtaining a college degree, or completing a vocational program.

Jessie Ryan, President of The Campaign for College Opportunity and this year’s Way2Success Keynote Speaker shared her experience as a first-generation community college student. She expressed pride in how attending community college was her first step toward breaking her family’s cycle of poverty.

“For so many of the students who are attending today’s event, they will be the first in their family to go to college. For me this is something that resonates deeply as a first-generation low-income student myself,” Ryan said. She noted that unfortunately, for most community college students it takes 6 years for them to transfer out.

“What we are working towards at the Campaign for College Opportunity is ensuring that all students, irrespective of their zip code, have access to the supports they need to reach their transfer destinations in a timely fashion, walk across the graduation stage with their degree, enter the workforce and provide for their families,” Ryan said and praised Long Beach City College for being, “at the forefront of amazing student-centered transformational work with a real commitment with racial equity and student success.”

Mia Hoffmaster speaking at the Way2Success Student Panel.

Mia Hoffmaster, one of five LBCC students on a panel during the fair, shared her journey of overcoming personal and systemic barriers with her peers.

“When I was growing up, I looked around and I didn’t see any role models, so I decided that if I didn’t have any, then I should probably be one for people like myself, and taking the first step in that is not being afraid to tell your story and to show people where they can go,” Mia said.

This year’s fair also focused on providing mental health resources, addressing a critical issue among community college students who often struggle to cover basic needs, with over half living at the poverty level.

According to The Empowering L.A. Parenting for College Success report, nearly one in three female and one in eight male students enrolled in the Los Angeles Community College District are parents. Over 60% of these student parents live at the poverty level, yet only 36% receive public assistance.

William Johnson, a student parent at LBCC, described his experience: “I’m a parent first and a student second. Navigating the world of raising a little girl while being a student and prioritizing my time between both is challenging.”

Another student panelist, Robert Huff, said the LBCC’s Basic Needs Center has been, “a level up for myself, because I’m a CalWORKs participant, so at the end of almost every month, my kids have eaten up all the food, so if we don’t have an additional resource, then we’re kind of scrounging for what was left, or leftovers.”

Parents of prospective LBCC students, like Marta Torres, expressed appreciation for Way2Success bringing together all the resources low-income parents need to support their children in college.

Lo más destacado de Way2Succcess 2024 (Spanish)

“I am thankful for the motivation and support this fair brings to our community, so our children feel encouraged and supported to finish their college education, and have a chance to a better life,” said Torres in Spanish.

This year’s partnership with LBCC allowed us to bring in corporate partners such as Edward Jones, a sponsor of the event and facilitator of the “Planning & Money Management: Developing a Personal Budget” workshop.

“I was very excited to be here to teach people about financial education and even just the opportunities of the field of work that we do. I think that we are just a small piece of what United Way is doing,” said Norm Cauntay, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones. “If we can provide that extra confidence with all the individual people attending the event to help them feel more secure and comfortable about their finances, I think it is going to make a big difference in their lives.”

From left to right, Edward Jones’ Jonathan Lising, LBCC President Ambassador Shamonique Harris, and Norm Cauntay.

“We’re excited to be in our second year with Way2Success,” said Norma Rodriguez, Director of Community Prosperity at United Way of Greater Los Angeles. “It’s growing, expanding, and we’re looking forward to what’s next in our partnership with community colleges and students across Los Angeles.”

LBCC student Savannah Smith, who is preparing to transfer to UCLA to pursue a master’s degree in accounting, advised her peers to recognize the support around them.

“Even if you think you don’t have someone in your corner, look around—there’s always someone. Find a mentor, someone who gives you hope, someone who will provide the guidance you need to reach your goals and become who you’re meant to be.”

Learn more about our Community College Success programs here, and download the Way2Success academic toolkit. Stay tuned for the upcoming Dual Enrollment Toolkit in Spring 2025.

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