November Open House & Conversation Club, Tech Careers Webinar, Rev. Gerardo's Doctoral Research Survey, & more

Dear Upward,

It's October, which means two things: spooky season and, even spookier, midterm season! Good luck with your midterm exams, essays, and projects! You are halfway through another promising semester. Keep going!

Please read this newsletter, which includes details about our Open House and November Conversation Club, Rev. Gerardo's doctoral research survey, and other community events and resources.

Upward Scholars Announcements

Open House & the Final English Conversation Club of 2024!

Upward Scholars has moved our office, and you’re invited to our Open House and the final in-person Conversation Club of the year! This is an excellent opportunity to tour our new office, mingle with staff, volunteers, and other students, and practice your English skills with native English speakers.

Our theme for the evening is Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos or Día de los Muertos). To celebrate your late loved ones with us, bring photographs of them to add to our altar. We invite you to bring food relevant to your Día de los Muertos traditions. You can also get into the Halloween spirit by wearing a costume.

Childcare is available for children three years and older.

Open House and in-person English Conversation Club:

When: Friday, November 1, 2024

Open House: 6 – 7 pm

Conversation Club: 7 – 9 pm

Where: Upward Scholars’ New Office

330 Twin Dolphin Dr, Ste 101, Redwood City, CA 94065

RSVP by October 25 to join us.

Launch Your Tech Career Webinar (bilingual English/Spanish)

Upward Scholars is partnering with Merit America—a nonprofit providing a path to tech careers for adults stuck in low-wage jobs—to bring you an informational webinar.

Learn about their fast, flexible programs that focus on what employers need most and can be completed while you work and support your family.

The webinar will be available bilingually in English and Spanish. If you can't make it, register to get access to the recording.

When: Wednesday, October 23, 11:30–12:30 pm

Where: via Zoom

Register here to learn more about the opportunities Merit America can offer you to start your career before 2024 is over!

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.

Impacto del Apoyo Espiritual en el Éxito Académico

Gerardo está realizando una encuesta para su investigación doctoral, que se centra en las experiencias espirituales y emocionales de los estudiantes de Upward Scholars.

Si ha utilizado los servicios de apoyo espiritual y emocional que ofrecemos en colaboración con el Reverendo, por favor complete la encuesta aquí.

Platiquitas (bilingual English/Spanish)

Platiquitas offer students the chance to participate in regular small group meetings centered on specific spiritual topics with a grief counselor and Reverend Gerardo.

Rev. Gerardo will hold the next Platiquita, or virtual conversation, on the "Importance of the Faith Community" on Friday, October 25, at 5 pm.

To participate in the Platiquita, join by Zoom here.

Community Opportunities

Triple P Positive Parenting Program

Family Connections invites caregivers of children birth to 5 years to participate in their 8-week Positive Parenting Program!

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a proven parenting method that helps parents learn positive ways to raise children. Caregivers can learn important skills to strengthen their bonds with their children, help them grow socially and emotionally, and handle challenging behavior in a positive way.

Participation in Triple P requires an 8-week commitment that includes four 2-hour virtual sessions, three individualized check-in phone calls, and one in-person celebratory session.

Spanish Session starts Tuesday, January 14

Time: 5:30–7:30 pm

Learn more and register here.

College, Career, & Community Fair

Connect with college representatives from UCs, CSUs, local community colleges, private colleges, and out-of-state colleges at the College, Career, & Community Fair. You can also network with local organizations to learn about job and internship opportunities and community resources available to you and your family.

Drop by the Upward Scholars table and say hi to our team!

When: Thursday, October 10, 6:15–8:30 pm

Where: Sequoia High School Gym 2

1201 Brewster Ave, Redwood City

VOICE Program for RWC & NFO Youth

Vibrant Opportunities for Involvement, Community, and Empowerment (VOICE) is a six-month youth leadership program that helps 14- to 18-year-olds who live or go to school in Redwood City/North Fair Oaks develop a solid foundation for being community organizers and initiating positive change beyond high school.

VOICE offers participants public speaking/leadership training, stipends, and letters of recommendation. Applications are open until October 14.

Visit their website for more information and encourage 14- to 18-year-olds to apply.

Latina Emprendedora Conference (Spanish)

You're invited to an annual event for women in business!

Learn strategies to start or grow your business - completely free of charge and in Spanish.

- How to start your business

- Advertising

- Technology for business

- and more!

When: October 19, 8 am

Where: San José; details are forthcoming

Learn more and register for the free conference here.

Grace Cares Day: Free Dental Care in Menlo Park

Grace Dental is offering one day of free dental treatment to the community. Patients can choose a cleaning, filling, or extraction. Space is limited, so reserve your appointment today by calling (650) 322-4750 or emailing hello@gracedentalfamily.com!

When: Wednesday, October 23, 8 am – 4 pm

Where: Grace Dental. 90 Middlefield Rd, Ste 2, Menlo Park

Summer Search

Summer Search is a national youth development nonprofit that has provided over 9,000 10th graders with scholarships, international service, outdoor leadership, academic Summer Trips, year-round mentoring, and career development support.

If you know any 10th-grade high school students who would benefit from mentoring and support, tell them about Summer Search. Their application is now open and closes on December 3. Eligible 10th graders can learn more and apply here.

Redwood City Tenant-Landlord Counseling Services Project

Redwood City now provides phone and e-mail assistance for tenants and landlords throughout Redwood City. They provide information on all tenant-landlord issues and offer dispute resolution options. They serve all areas of Redwood City, including incorporated and unincorporated areas.

Services are available to all tenants and landlords within Redwood City, regardless of income or immigration status.

View the flyer or click here for more information.

Medical Equipment Loan Program

MELP/AbleCloset created a medical equipment loan program to provide durable medical equipment, including wheelchairs, walkers, knee scooters, and more, to help those who need the equipment but may still be waiting for their own equipment to arrive or be covered by their insurance. This program helps ensure medical equity and improves lives while recycling and reusing donated equipment. And the equipment is loaned at no cost!

To borrow medical equipment from MELP, visit their website.

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.

Make Your Voice Heard: Redwood City & North Fair Oaks

Redwood City Together is partnering with the City of Redwood City to learn about the needs of Redwood City and North Fair Oaks youth (ages 13-24) and parents/caregivers.

Complete the survey in English or Spanish here and share it with friends and neighbors to make your voice heard.

Employment Opportunities

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.

Live Your Dream Award

Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
Some qualifications: identify as a woman; primary breadwinner for family

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