California is in the midst of a very real budget crisis, and students of higher education are feeling the pinch just as much – if not more – than the rest of the state. According to a recent report at Mercury News, Governor Jerry Brown's proposed budget cuts would trim another $400 million from community colleges and raise student fees by 40 percent. Some predict that the reduction would result in about 400,000 community college students not being able to get the courses they need to complete their degree programs. While lawmakers continue to debate the proposed budget and its effect on California residents, college students are taking matters into their own hands.
What is Hands Across California?
Hands Across California is the latest organized effort by Ken Kragen, known for his work with Hands across America, NetAid and We are the World fundraisers. Kragen entered the picture to help community college advocates raise awareness of the financial needs of students across the state. According to the Huffington Post, this movement, which took place on April 17, served two purposes: to raise awareness of the critical needs of today's college students and to raise funding that will support those needy students through additional scholarships.
Money that was raised through Hands across California will go directly to support the California Community Colleges Scholarship Endowment. The Bernard Osher Foundation has pledged a 50 percent match to all funds collected. This organization is well known for