November Conversation Club, Meg's Weekly Conversation Group, Know Your Rights, & more

Greetings!

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Midterm season is in full swing. Along with studying for exams and preparing essays, we encourage you to take time to rest and care for yourselves. With rest, good nutrition, and well-timed study breaks, we believe you'll excel in your midterms this semester!

This month's newsletter includes our November Conversation Club, Meg's Weekly Conversation Group, Know Your Rights information, what to do in case of detention, and other community events and resources.

Upward Scholars Announcements

In-person English Conversation Club

The last Conversation Club of the year is next month! This is an opportunity to build confidence in your English conversation skills in a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.

We will also use this opportunity to celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) by sharing food and topics from a variety of Latin cultures in the spirit of welcoming and belonging.

Child care for children 3 years and older will be available.

Our next in-person English Conversation Club:

Friday, November 7, 2025

6:30 – 8 pm

Sobrato Center for Nonprofits (350 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City)

RSVP by October 30 to join us.

Everyone Has Rights, Know Them!

Save or Download this Information Here

All people are protected under the law, regardless of immigration status.

If immigration comes to your home, work, or neighborhood, or if there are ICE raids nearby, call the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline at 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA) as soon as possible.
Know your rights. Keep the red card handy at all times. If you encounter ICE, remember you have constitutional rights. (You can download a red card here.) Upward Scholars also has physical red cards available for pickup at our office.
Have a plan for you and your family in case someone is detained. Find plan templates here.
Memorize a trusted person's phone number in case you are detained and do not have access to your phone.
Download and complete your Immigration Preparedness Toolkit here
Download and complete your Family Preparedness Plan here
DO NOT sign ICE documents or speak to any officers without an attorney present. Get advice from an attorney about your immigration options.
Find Free and Low-Cost Immigration Legal Service Providers here
Find more resources on the County’s Immigrant Service page here.

NOTE: This is for informational purposes, not legal advice.

Meg's Weekly English Conversation Group (sponsored by Upward Scholars)

Practice speaking English in a fun group with Meg Brosnan! Drop in anytime, no registration needed!

Every Thursday, Oct 2 – Dec 4, 2025

11 am – 12 pm

Cañada College, Learning Center, Study Room 9-253

Questions? Email Meg Brosnan, group leader: margaretbrosnan@my.smccd.edu

Emotional & Spiritual Counseling with Reverend Gerardo García Palacios

Upward Scholars offers students and their families free spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo García Palacios. People of all beliefs are welcome, and Rev. Gerardo is bilingual in English and Spanish.

To schedule a session with Rev. Gerardo, email him at pastorgarcia1679@outlook.com or call/text him at (650) 387-9174.

Community Opportunities

Family Connections' No-Cost Early Learning Classes

Free early learning classes are offered in Daly City, East Palo Alto, and Redwood City.

Nurturing Families is designed for children aged 1-3 years and their caregivers. Caregivers and children will learn and grow together through play, connection, and exploration. Caregiver participation is required at each class. Tuesday & Thursday: Morning Session (10 am–12 pm) or Afternoon Session (1 pm–3 pm).

Preschool is for children aged 3-5 years and their caregivers. It offers a fun, engaging experience for young children and their caregivers alike. Caregivers are expected to volunteer one day each week in the classroom. Classes are available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Learn more and enroll here for either program.

2025 Holiday Toy and Book Sign Up Information

The Fair Oaks Community Center invites you to sign up for toys! From October 13 to December 4, residents of Redwood City, North Fair Oaks, Portola Valley, Woodside, or Atherton who have at least one child age 12 or younger and meet the low-income guidelines can sign up.

Learn more about required documents, other sign-up details, and how you can support the Holiday Toy and Book Program here.

Cañada's Spring 2026 Super Registration

If you struggle to register for classes before each semester or have questions about which classes to take, join Cañada College for guidance through the registration process with their friendly staff! This is a one-stop shop event to complete all of the steps you need to register for the upcoming Spring semester.

Tuesday, December 2 & Thursday, December 4

2 pm – 8 pm

Building 9, Room 106

Learn as a Family Spanish Workshops

This free virtual workshop, available in Spanish, will provide you with the necessary tools to help your children succeed this school year. You will also receive accurate information on the latest available health resources and financial assistance options to help you.

Please contact Mr. Zuno at 650-422-0496 if you have any questions or need help filling out this form.

Legal Support Guide

Facing legal challenges? Seeking qualified legal assistance is the most important step you can take. Bring a trusted supporter to any appointments and consider creating a family preparedness plan to protect your loved ones. Use the links below to find helpful resources and referrals. Remember—being informed is your best protection.

Click here for a legal directory for resources in your community, including legal representation.

Click here to stay updated on your immigration court hearing date and time.

La Selva Community Clinic

La Selva Community Clinic offers a comprehensive range of care, including psychiatry, counseling, case management, and more—all at no cost to uninsured or underinsured adults. Services are available in English and Spanish.

To learn more and schedule an appointment, please contact Martha Zambrano at (650) 617-8350 or visit their office at 4139 El Camino Way, Palo Alto.

Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Connector For Students in California

Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Connector provides psychological support to undocumented students in California. It allows them to access their strengths and resiliency and focus on their personal goals and healing journey.

To qualify for services through the MHC, individuals generally need to meet the following criteria:

Have an undocumented status
Be enrolled at a California higher education institution
This includes any of the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), California Community Colleges (CCC) campuses, and private colleges and universities located in California.
Be in California during sessions
Have a tool for online sessions (phone, laptop, etc.)
Be between the ages of 18 and 45
Have no health insurance or means to pay out-of-pocket
Feel comfortable conversing in English

Clients will receive approximately 28 telehealth (online) sessions as part of the program’s commitment to providing accessible mental health support. While these are the standard guidelines, the MHC may accommodate those who fall outside this criteria upon request and availability of volunteer therapists.

Learn more here. Ready to sign up? Fill out this screening questionnaire.

CORA’s Family-Centered Mental Health Services

CORA is the only agency in San Mateo County solely dedicated to helping those affected by intimate partner abuse. Their services are designed to provide safety, support, and healing, from counseling to emergency housing to legal assistance.

They have a general mental health program, one focused on the LGBTQ+ community, and a First 5 and children’s program. If you are overcoming intimate partner abuse, CORA is there to help! Visit their website or call their 24-hour emergency hotline at (800) 300-1080 for support.

Employment Opportunities

San Mateo County Parks Internship (Paid)

San Mateo County Parks is looking for a motivated, bilingual (Spanish) Community Engagement Intern to join the team from January through December 2026. This full-time role is a chance to get hands-on experience leading programming at Friendship and Flood Parks while also supporting events and initiatives across the county.

With starting pay at $22.13 an hour, this is an excellent opportunity to build your skills, connect with the community, and play a key role in bringing people together through parks and outdoor spaces. If you’re passionate about community engagement, leadership, and making an impact, this is the position for you.

Learn more and apply here.

Sequoia District Adult School (SAS) Job Board

SAS has a job board to help students like you find jobs. There are a variety of positions in various industries. Visit their website to learn more.

Scholarship Opportunities

The following is a list of external scholarships with upcoming deadlines. Click on the links to learn more about each scholarship.

NOTE: If you need help applying to any of these, contact Programs Director Diana Viscarra at diana@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.

Immigrants Rising List of Scholarships and Fellowships

Immigrants Rising has curated this list of scholarships and fellowships that don't require proof of U.S. citizenship. The list has general application eligibility requirements, including education level, region/state, and immigration status. Use the filters to find scholarships that could be right for you.

Click here to find an array of scholarships specific to your major or area of study.

If you know of any other job or scholarship opportunities with deadlines in the next few weeks or months, please email the information to Jessica, Marketing & Development Manager, at jessica@upwardscholars.org so she can share them with all Upward Scholars students.

Onward & upward,

Upward Scholars Team

Our Programs Team

Contact our Programs Team with any questions regarding our programs and services.