Resources

Community, College, and Personal Resources

The CalWORKs Association is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports all the community

colleges in California that have a CalWORKs program for advocacy, training, student recognition,

and student scholarships. The have partnered with CalWORKs advocates to effect change in law

in regards to CalWORKs students and their families. An annual training conference is held each

year that college staff and counselors, county staff, CDSS staff, legal services, and students are

invited to attend. Check out the website for more information for the next conference. They also

produce a publication each year, CalWORKs Student Voices, to highlight our students that is sent

to legislators and college administrators. We are very proud of our students. Look on the website

for the online version. Students who send in an entry for CalWORKs Student Voices are eligible

for a $500 scholarship in several categories. We always let our students know when the new

application is open and can assist you with the required essay. We want to know your story and

how CalWORKs has helped you meet your educational and life goals.

CalWORKs Association Student Voices
- This is the annual publication of CalWORKs student stories. Students are invited to apply for a $500 scholarship and share their story using one of the affinity group prompts. They are encouraged to share a picture of themselves and their family. The stories are then published in a publication that is used to show legislators how CalWORKs students are changing their families lives through the support of college CalWORKs programs. The Cuyamaca CalWORKs office will let students know when applications are open for the next scholarship opportunity.
- 2020 Student Voices Publication
Western Center on Law and Poverty

Western Center on Law and Poverty is one of those CalWORKs advocates that sponsor bills to

make improvements for low income Californians. Through the lens of economic and racial justice,

they litigate, educate, and advocate around health care, housing, and public benefits policies and

administration. They produce a guide for students that provides information on the rights of

students on welfare. You can receive a copy of this guide for free from the Cuyamaca CalWORKs

office. Just ask us. We also invite a WCLP lawyer to San Diego at least once a year where they

go through that student guide and provide updates in the law for the benefit of students and

college staff.