El Camino College is set to celebrate Southern California’s vibrant car culture with a special “Classic Cars” Show, designed to support a unique and impactful student initiative. The event, a “Cruise With Us Into Higher Ed” themed program, is organized by the college’s Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) program and the Resiliency FIRST Student Club. This second annual orientation and fundraiser combines the allure of classic automobiles with a crucial cause: providing educational opportunities for formerly incarcerated and justice system-impacted students.
Scheduled for September 14th, the Car Show Program will take place on the El Camino College campus in Parking Lot B, accessible from Crenshaw and Manhattan Beach boulevards. The event is open to the public and offers a dual experience. From 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the FIRST Program orientation will be held in the Social Justice Center, providing insights into this vital program. Simultaneously, the classic car show will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., promising a visual treat for car enthusiasts of all ages.
Classic car owners are warmly invited to showcase their prized vehicles. Participation in the car show program requires registration and a $20 entry fee. This contribution directly supports the “Second Chance Student Scholarship” award, directly benefiting students within the FIRST program.
“This car show program serves as an open door to our community, allowing them to witness firsthand how our FIRST program empowers formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students at El Camino College,” explains Francisco “Pancho” Lopez, FIRST Program Coordinator. “We aim to extend a welcoming hand to our FIRST students, celebrating their journey home with the iconic imagery of classic cars, soulful music, and the spirit of ‘low-riding’ culture.”
Beyond the captivating display of classic cars, the event is strategically designed to generate awareness and crucial funding for El Camino’s FIRST Program. Launched in 2020, FIRST acts as a bridge from incarceration to higher education, guiding students toward achieving their academic aspirations. As a proud member of the “Rising Scholars Network,” a statewide California initiative dedicated to serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students, El Camino’s FIRST Program delivers comprehensive support. This includes personalized advising, counseling services, financial aid assistance, access to job opportunities, and essential basic needs support, all within a supportive and inclusive community. The program further enriches the student experience through academic activities, engaging workshops, guest speaker sessions, and informative university tours.
El Camino Community College District is committed to inclusivity and encourages individuals with disabilities to fully participate in this car show program and all college activities. Attendees requiring accommodations or with questions regarding physical accessibility are encouraged to contact the FIRST Program at their earliest convenience, ideally no later than seven days prior to the event.
For deeper information regarding this exciting car show program or El Camino College’s impactful Formerly Incarcerated Re-Entry Students Thriving (FIRST) Program, please visit www.elcamino.edu/support/resources/first/. Mark your calendars for September 14th and join El Camino College in supporting student success while enjoying a fantastic display of classic cars!
