Río Hondo College Police Academy is a leader in progressive police training, following a teaching philosophy known as Principled Policing that encourages strong community relationships, respect for diversity and an understanding of constitutional rights. College leaders are providing insight into the police training program in the aftermath of the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers and subsequent demonstrations over treatment of African Americans by law enforcement.
Río Hondo College has awarded $882,400 in grants to 2,205 students as part of a federal act designed to assist those whose studies have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are funded by $3.1 million in federal CARES Act funding received by the College for direct student grants. The money is divided among a Río Cares Student Relief Fund, support for students with federal Work Study jobs and an Emergency Grant program.
Río Hondo College is celebrating its 2020 graduating class on Tuesday, May 26 and Wednesday, May 27 with a drive-through distribution of “Grad Care Packages” that include traditional graduation gear along with some surprises. The events are being held in lieu of the College’s traditional ceremonies because of COVID-19 concerns and are following the same safety guidelines used for the College’s drive-through food pantry. This is Río Hondo College’s 57th annual Commencement.
Río Hondo College has received $15,000 in gifts from community groups for its Cooperative Agencies Resources for Education (CARE) Program, which helps provide educational support services and activities for academically under-prepared, welfare-dependent, single parents. CARE students are part of EOP&S, which serves more than 1,600 students at Río Hondo College. The gifts, presented May 22 to Río Hondo College Superintendent/President Dr. Arturo Reyes, EOP&S/CARE Director Heba Griffiths, and CARE Specialist Laura Verdugo, include $5,000 from Soroptimist International of Whittier and $10,000 from Credit Union of Southern California.
When Kahanu Zimmerman graduated from Río Hondo College Fire Academy’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program in 2019, he never dreamed that less than a year later he would be employing his disaster training in the epicenter of a global pandemic. In April, Zimmerman, who is an EMT with a Southern California ambulance service, volunteered to join a FEMA call to action and was deployed to New York City. For two weeks, Zimmerman ran intra-facility transfers between NYC hospitals in the Bronx, transporting patients, most of whom were COVID-19 positive, and helping to ease overcrowded conditions.
Rio Hondo EMT Program Graduate Provides COVID-19 Support in NYC
Kahanu Zimmerman, a 2019 graduate of Rio Hondo College Fire Academy’s EMT program, spent the month of April in New York City providing volunteer support to fellow first responders during the height of the city’s COVID-19 health crisis. For two weeks, Zimmerman ran intra-facility transfers of COVID-19 patients between NYC hospitals, as well as delivering emergency supplies of oxygen, ventilators and PPE. Zimmerman was also part of an EMT team that saved the life of a NY police officer after an auto accident.
Río Hondo College’s Board of Trustees on May 13 redoubled its commitment to vulnerable communities facing challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including undocumented residents, individuals of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage and those who struggle with food insecurity, housing and access to internet and mental health resources. Trustees unanimously adopted three resolutions to assert their support for these communities.
The Río Hondo College Foundation is seeking immediate community support to help Río Hondo students during this unprecedented health crisis. The Foundation is seeking donations for the Río Cares Student Relief Fund, established to assist students facing extraordinary challenges with housing, food scarcity, digital connections and stress as they juggle family, work and school during the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders.
Río Hondo College is serving hundreds of meals through a drive-through food pantry and is providing 400 Chromebooks to assist students, faculty and staff during the COVID-19 health crisis that forced a shift to online instruction and remote student services. The services are one piece of a massive expansion of student support launched by the College since shifting to online instruction on March 16. The College now provides online services across all student groups, including special programs structured for single mothers, economically disadvantaged students, former foster youth, veterans and others.
Río Hondo College is providing a full menu of online services to ensure students – especially those most vulnerable and marginalized – receive the support they need while completing spring classes via online instruction. Services include remote counseling, online tutoring, financial aid assistance, psychological services, food pantry distribution, Chromebook loans, access to free Office 365 and internet, guidance for undocumented students, and access to local, community-based support.
