EAST LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Leaders of a Michigan State College program that assists kids of migrant and seasonal farm employees say they’ve been notified that their federal funding has now been terminated for the 2025 fiscal 12 months.
This system, the School Help Migrant Program Scholar Initiative (CAMP) on the Migrant Scholar Providers Workplace, was funded by the U.S Division of Schooling. For MSU college students, Damaris Gomez and Jaqelin Barajas, CAMP is like residence away from residence.
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“CAMP truly like helped me transition like from coming from out of state to a brand new state, feeling extra welcomed and at residence,” mentioned Gomez.
Gomez is from Florida and the daughter of migrant farm employees. She says her household picks watermelon, oranges, and even sugar cane.
Jaqelin Barajas, a CAMP Ambassador, can be the daughter of migrant farm employees in Michigan.
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“It is a spot the place you could find your folks to hang around, but in addition discover assist, whether or not that’s with monetary help,” mentioned Jaqelin Barajas.
Each Barajas and Gomez enrolled in this system as freshmen to assist them modify to their first 12 months at MSU.
Luis Alonzo Garcia, Director of Migrant Scholar Providers, says they have been advised the principle cause behind the funding being cancelled is that it didn’t align with the Trump administration’s priorities.
An e-mail obtained by the Director of Migrant Scholar Providers. (WLNS)
“Undoubtedly devastating for us, provided that traditionally we deliver on the common of fifty to 60 college students yearly into this system,” mentioned Garcia.
Garcia says this system primarily works with first-generation college students.
“Serving to them put together their schedule, serving to them to barter monetary help,’ mentioned Garcia.
Gomez hopes she will proceed to be part of their residence away from residence.
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“CAMP simply does loads for any pupil, whether or not you are in your first or final 12 months,” mentioned Gomez.
Barajas is presently mentoring 30 college students.
“If it wasn’t for CAMP,” mentioned Barajas. “I probably wouldn’t even have gone to Michigan State.”
Garcia says this system is on the lookout for different funding to assist them for the remainder of the 12 months. CAMP is one among 5 different applications which might be provided on the Migrant Scholar Providers Workplace, and the entire college students in this system are both everlasting residents or U.S residents.
