Ribbon Cutting Marks Larger Space For Bigger Dreams

The Dream Center has a new official home — a new, much larger space in the Old Administration Building — to better serve the undocumented students at Fresno City College.

The move into the new Dream Center was marked with an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony in the rose garden in front of the OAB at 10 a.m. on Sept. 21.

Counselor Graciela Ramirez  began the ceremony by introducing the Dream Center team: Perry Angle, director of TRIO, and counselors Erika Ramos-Cano, Wilfredo Felix Gamez and Sandra Velazquez.

Paul Parnell, chancellor of the State Center Community College District, spoke about how the district is proud of the dreamers and their struggle to achieve success.

Carole Goldsmith, president of FCC spoke about the importance of getting involved in the fight to keep Defer Action for Childhood Arrivals because it was the right thing to do. She said no student is illegal and the college is here to create a pathway to a better life for students.

“That so many people in the community came out to support the dream center really speaks volumes of the love that Fresno has for our students,” Goldsmith said. “Today is one of the best days I have had in my whole tenure here.”

Trustee Miguel Arias presented a $1,000 check to Goldsmith to be used for an endowment for the Dream Center. He said everyone in the district has a role in serving students.

Dream Center students — Flavio Arechiga and Rebeca Bautista — were also present at the ceremony. They both spoke about the support they have received from the Dream Center. Arechiga said the Dream Center team was always there for him, and Bautista said she could always count on the help and support of the Dream Center.

“Expanding the Dream Center really goes to show how much the school supports the dreamers here,” Arechiga said.

English instructor Marisol Baca read a poem she wrote specifically for dreamers.

Lucia Aguilar and Delia Vasquez of the Mexican American Political Association presented two scholarships to two DACA students,  Arechiga and Franchia Sanchez.

A representative of Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula gave a special recognition to Goldsmith to commemorate the opening of the new Dream Center.

Ramos-Cano gave the closing remarks and invited everyone to walk over to Room 137 for the ribbon cutting ceremony. She urged everyone to take advantage of the booths of the Puente program and the Mexican Consulate among which had information for both students and attendees.

Goldsmith and trustee Arias cut the ribbon and then everyone was invited inside to tour the new Dream Center.

“We want to let our dreamers know that the dream continues, no matter the obstacles, and we’ll always be here for them,” Wilfredo Felix Gamez said. “We wanted to expand our services and that is why we wanted a bigger space for the Dream Center.”