-That's why I show up for work every day.

-For almost three decades, Marty Kamimoto has taught thousands of students how to repair everything from gas powered, hydrogen, hybrid and electric cars to diesel and even zero emission big rigs.

And since 2023, he and his fellow instructors have been helping these men and women build careers inside one of the biggest community college automotive training facilities anywhere.

-To be able to take a student, give them the skill sets, the training, the certification, send them out to the workforce, and then they're able to support not only themselves, but they can support a family and make an impact on our local economy.

-Impacting the local economy, uplifting a disadvantaged community.

That's what this Fresno City College West campus is all about.

Across town, Fresno's original City College, still welcoming students, was built in 1910.

It's the oldest in California and the second oldest in the U.S.

This campus on Fresno's Southwest side is one of the newest, and it is unique.

-What I got a chance to see was a city, the college, the district and the county coming together to create something that's beautiful.

Fresno City College interim president Doctor Kim Armstrong says this beautiful creation was the result of a decade long campaign by an incredibly diverse group of supporters all united in their belief that southwest Fresno had been ignored and neglected too long.

This area has one of California's highest poverty rates and suffered from decades of industrial pollution.

Many students had to travel miles to access any college opportunities.

-And so the intention of this project was to lead the effort in reversing the de-investment of this region and the ultra-pollution of this region by building a massive, public investment -That investment began with dozens of meetings with community leaders and a coordinated effort to identify priorities and raise money.

Major funds came from a 2016 bond measure supporting the State Center Community College District.

The city of Fresno pitched in, as did the state of California.

Two local philanthropists donated a combined 40 acres.

All told, more than $86 million made this idea a reality for residents in West Fresno and other South Valley rural communities.

-It's like a jewel on top of a hill.

It's like a shining light.

This is a gift, and I want people to accept it and enjoy it and use it.

-You know, everything changes when you get access to education and training.

And once a person has that access and has that skill, that certificate or that credential, that is something that no one can ever take away from them for the rest of their lives.

-Every family deserves to live in a safe neighborhood where they can shop, go to work, and go to school, And West Fresno is finally going in that path.

-I think it's fitting that California's first community college has this campus, as its next prodigal child.

-Height and weight first.

And then it's TPR.

Temperature, pulse, respiration, then blood pressure.

So you know where the thermometers are.

-Besides the new Automotive Technology Center, the West campus also has a robust medical assistant training program.

Many of these 1000 West campus students are the first in their families to attend college.

-Me coming into the medical field have brought me out, brought my communication out, brought my, my skills out and what I had deep down inside me that I know I could bring out and I can help other people.

-I live, like down the street and especially for like a lot of people are here.

It's like walking distance and anybody can come.

-The community needs these students out there, because they're going to bring more to the community by getting this education and sharing it with other people.

-So you got service info here... -Back at the Automotive Technology Center, Instructor Wyatt Jones has a particular point of pride.

He started his career at Fresno City College.

-It's very fun to come full circle and to tell the students, guys, I've been in your shoes before.

It makes it all that much more sweeter to help reinvest into a community that probably needs a little assistance every now and then.

And that's what we do at the community college level.

That's what we're here for.

-I think it's, a great opportunity, you know, for people like me, just for them, putting it right in the heart of West Fresno, I think is helps a lot for those out there.

So now they see the opportunities.

-Being able to give resources to people that just don't have them I definitely think it encourages people to look forward in their future and gives hope, a lot of hope.

-Looking ahead, leaders hope to offer more vocational opportunities including teacher training, business, finance, food and childcare services.

For the physical campus, already environmentally friendly, there will be walking trails, a community park and soon more retail businesses and housing nearby.

-The effort that we have spent for a decade and building this facility are going to pay off for generations to come.

-When you walk on this campus, it feels innovative.

It feels historic.

It feels like a legacy is starting to be born here.

-And that's what this place represents, not just the physical, but the intentionality of a culture.

This commitment to this community says, yes, you can.

We see you here.