Remarks on the Workforce Education and Recovery Fund
(Originally spoken before the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, at the 19th May, 2020 Board meeting in support of the Workforce Education and Recovery Fund)
Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Charlie Garcia-Spiegel, and I am here today on behalf of my community at the City College of San Francisco. As a student worker, a peer domestic violence educator, and a student representative on the Resource Centers and Programs United committee of the Associated Students’ Council at Ocean Campus, I am here to stress the importance of the Workforce Education and Recovery Fund and urge the Board of Supervisors to support the implementation of the fund. During economic downturns like the one we are experiencing, resources like City College are often the most necessary, but the least prioritized. This cannot be the case during this health crisis.
During my time on the RCPU committee, I have seen and helped take action on the needs of my community members, so I have a firsthand understanding of the resources we provide to the city. We have already provided supports to our community members, such as computer loans, scholarships, and grocery funds, that will help them weather this frightening time. We are always proud to show up for our community, but we cannot do so alone. Resource Centers, academic departments, and other on-campus and virtual programs keep community members thriving, and entire communities would benefit immensely from this fund.
Now, it is true that we at City College need the city of San Francisco right now, but more importantly, the city of San Francisco needs us. As we recover from this crisis, the city is going to need trained public health workers, medical practitioners, and health workers of all stripes. City College is the best opportunity we have to train and empower those workers. As a public health student and future social worker myself, I have already seen this in action, and I know that with the support of the Board of Supervisors and the Workforce Education and Recovery Fund, we can support the city and all who live and work here in recovering from the COVID-19 public health crisis. We will be a key part of this recovery, and we deeply appreciate your support as we do so. Thank you.
