ECV to the Capitol

Advocating for higher education and building a stronger Coachella Valley

In June 2023, we first partnered with COFEM (Consejo de Federaciones Mexicanas) to organize an all-expenses-paid trip for students from the Coachella Valley to the California State Capitol to advocate for better access to higher education.

In Sacramento, our students immersed themselves in the policymaking process by meeting state representatives to advocate for legislation that directly impacted their communities. During their visit, they had lunch in the historic Capitol building, spoke with Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia, and sat in on an active legislative session. Coachella Valley youth also met with the Governor’s Office and the California Environmental Protection Agency.

At the end of the day, many of our students had let us know that this trip was an unforgettable experience! A special thank you to the Inland Empire Community Foundation for their provision of the CIELO FUND grant, which had made this trip possible!

Now, our ‘ECV to the Capitol’ trip has become an annual tradition, in which we and COFEM enthusiastically convene to provide our high school students with an impactful learning experience in which our students engage with several legislative offices to share their lived experiences in support of California policies that promote more equitable access to higher education. Scroll down to learn more about our annual trips!