Supporting Students, Parents, and Families Through Strategic Partnerships

Community Advocacy Manager

This summer, we partnered with community-based organizations (Ethiopian Community of Rochester, MN, and Pamoja Women), the Rochester Public Library, and Rochester Community and Technical College to host a variety of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Minnesota Dream Act application support sessions for high school students pursuing postsecondary education. We offered sessions at different times and on different days of the week to make them accessible to as many families as possible, alleviating scheduling barriers. Thanks to the dedication of our FAFSA and MN Dream Act application experts at College Possible and Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC), we were able to support students and parents through challenges in the application process, meeting them in large group settings first. Participants then had the opportunity to speak individually with staff members. When additional support was needed after a session, we set up one-on-one meetings and followed up to ensure students and families knew we were invested in supporting them. We also gathered feedback at every session to help adjust our efforts to best fit community needs.

Over the past two years, we have seen how much families value this support. Many high school students begin their financial aid process in the spring of their senior year and continue through the summer, and we are proud to walk alongside them every step of the way. Each student’s journey looks different, but our commitment remains the same: to provide patient, consistent, and trustworthy guidance. Families have shared their gratitude for the assistance they receive, and we know that trust is the foundation of this work. Our partners have been key to creating welcoming, authentic, and supportive spaces, and we look forward to building on these strong collaborations in the year ahead.

We are already planning our financial aid sessions for the upcoming school year. We hope to expand both the number of sessions and the variety of locations so that families across the community have convenient access to support. We will continue working with our partners to ensure students and parents feel confident navigating the financial aid process and preparing for college.

Beth Martinez (far left) at the MACAC Professional Development Cohort orientation in August

In addition to programming for students and families, our staff continues to prioritize professional development. I am excited to participate in the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling (MACAC) Professional Development Cohort, which brings together college admission counselors, high school counselors, and others in student support roles to strengthen our leadership skills. This opportunity will help me grow alongside peers in the field and ultimately help C2C staff to better support students in reaching their higher education goals.

Finally, our Parent Council will begin meeting quarterly this year and held a kick-off meeting on Sept. 22. This group includes family members who are active in other community parent groups, as well as those who are new to this type of involvement. By bringing together diverse voices and experiences, the council will provide valuable perspectives and ensure our work remains grounded in the needs of families across our community.

Parent Council meeting, Sept. 22, 2025