East Los Angeles College (ELAC) prides itself on being a part of the community and building a family of learners in partnership with local community organizations. The relationships between community-based organizations (CBOs), K-12 districts, and ELAC began with the college’s commitment to Great Outcomes (GO) East LA. The goal was to serve the educational needs of students and their families. These partnerships go far beyond just outreach to parents to help connect their high school- and college-age students to community college—they also work to serve the education and job training needs of parents. Through a network of relationships, the partner organizations help connect high school students to college courses in dual enrollment pathways, connect parents to ESL classes and job training, and support the whole family in understanding college culture and how to be supportive of family members in college.
Funding for this publication was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and College Futures Foundation. The opinions expressed are
those of the authors and do not represent views of the Gates Foundation or College Futures Foundation.