Dear Upward,

You're done with finals and fall classes! Congratulations on completing another semester. We hope you are feeling confident and ready for restful holidays.

We know this is a time of celebration. Still, we want you to stay informed and prepared for the challenges of the coming year, especially with the new presidency and the unpredictable winter storms in our region.

At Upward Scholars, we will do everything we can to keep you informed and support you, as we have always done. We cherish and celebrate our immigrant community and will fight to protect it.💙🧡

Please read this newsletter, which includes details about our Spring 2025 Program Application, immigrant legal resources, winter storm preparedness, tech career opportunities, child care and parenting resources, mental health resources, job openings, and other community events and resources.

Upward Scholars Announcements

Upward Scholars Office Closure

Please note that the Upward Scholars office will be closed, and staff will be on Winter Break from December 23 to January 1. We will not be working during this time, so please email us if you need to reach us. We look forward to reconnecting with you after January 2.

Upward Scholars Spring 2025 Application

The Upward Scholars Spring 2025 Application is now open! Apply now for the Spring 2025 Semester to continue receiving our support and benefits.

If you have any questions, contact Programs Coordinator Alma Noriega at alma@upwardscholars.org.

Spring 2025 Community College Enrollment

Open enrollment for SMCCD Spring 2025 began on November 13, 2024.

Enroll for Spring classes through your community college portal now.

Comprehensive Immigrant Legal Resources and Support Services in San Mateo County

The County of San Mateo Office of Community Affairs is addressing community concerns about safety and anxiety related to public charges and mass deportations by providing updated resources on its revamped website. It will also continue to share information via social media and keep partners informed about available County resources.

Find Legal Assistance | County of San Mateo, CA—Free and low-cost immigration service providers, US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) resources, housing legal services, employment legal services, DACA resources, and more.
Preparation and Know Your Rights and Toolkits—Prepared from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC). More info and languages can also be found on the OCA website here.
Keep your Benefits—Get the facts about public charges and immigration, including a guide to see if public benefits could affect different immigration options.
Immigrant Services Resources and Information—This includes community and mental health resources, translation and interpretation services, and information about the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline at 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA).
Immigrant Services Spotlight Series—On Know Your Rights with ILRC and Faith in Action. These are held live on the County of San Mateo's Facebook page.
LIBRE — The Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County—Linking Immigrants to Benefits, Resources & Education (LIBRE) LIBRE provides legal advice and representation related to Medi-Cal, CalFresh (food stamps), CalWORKs, Social Security/SSI/CAPI, U Visa (immigration relief for crime survivors), VAWA (Violence Against Women Act), SIJS (immigration relief for minor survivors of parental abuse, neglect, or abandonment) and certain other immigration cases.

Winter Storm Preparedness

With storm season upon us, we want you to be prepared and know what to do in case of rough weather. Please review the flyer and included links.

Go-bag link

Sandbag stations in your city

Sandbag use link

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.

Community Opportunities

Launch Your Tech Career in 2025 with Merit America

Jumpstart Your Career in Tech with Merit America’s IT Support Program.

Join the free, 14-week training program starting in January 2025, designed to help Bay Area residents launch a tech career without a degree or prior experience.

Earn while you learn: Receive up to $550 based on milestones and weeks completed.
Comprehensive support: Work with a career coach and a team dedicated to your success.
Job placement assistance: Get help applying to jobs and building a new career in IT Support.

Learn more and apply here by January 9, 2025. Merit America is also offering a virtual Admissions Open House on January 7 at 5 pm to answer prospective applicants' questions.

Childcare Preview Event

Join us for a Child Care Preview event and explore available child care options in your community. Enjoy resource tables, informative presentations, food, drawings, and more!

Child care for the event will be provided by an Upward Scholars TeacherUp student.

Saturday, January 11, 2025

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Community Activities Building

1400 Roosevelt Ave, Redwood City

Don’t miss this FREE event! Learn more here or contact BuildUpSMC@sanmateo4cs.org.

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 essential skills to strengthen their bonds with their children, help them grow socially and emotionally, and positively handle challenging behavior.

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.

Kaiser Permanente’s Charitable Health Coverage

Kaiser Permanente’s Charitable Health Coverage programs help eligible low-income people who don’t have access to other public or private health coverage pay for affordable health coverage.

CHCP participants receive comprehensive Kaiser Permanente health coverage, including preventive services, without paying a monthly premium. They also don’t pay copays or out-of-pocket costs for most care at Kaiser Permanente facilities.

Applicants with a total household income of no more than 3 times the federal poverty level, without access to any other health coverage, including Medi-Cal, Medicare, a job-based health plan, or coverage through Covered California, and who live in a Kaiser Permanente service area are eligible to apply.

Individuals do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for CHCP. The open enrollment period for 2025 coverage is November 1, 2024, through January 31, 2025.

Community Health Care Program application forms, instructions, and a list of organizations that can help people complete the application are available here.

Cañada College's ESL Conversation Club

Do you want additional English conversation practice? Cañada College ESL Conversation Club is a great way to practice.

Starting again in the spring, they will meet on Tuesdays from 12:30-1:30 pm in person in the Cañada College Cultural Center and on Fridays for "Cafecito" from 9:30-11 am on Zoom. For additional details, contact Meg Brosnan at margaretbrosnan@my.smccd.edu.

Meta Summer Academy

Meta Summer Academy is a six-week career exploration summer program that immerses underrepresented high school students in the tech industry. In its 14th year, they are excited to continue to empower local youth from the community. More information below:

Eligibility Requirements:

Students must be current sophomores (rising juniors in summer 2025)
Current residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, North Fair Oaks, or Redwood City
Minimum 2.0 GPA

Application Requirements:

Two short-answer questions
Transcripts that include 10th-grade first-semester grades
Letter of recommendation (due 2/14/25)

Share this opportunity with any high school sophomores (10th graders) you know. Interested people can learn more about Meta Summer Academy here.

Holy Family School Openings for 2nd and 6th Grade

Holy Family School in North Fair Oaks is searching for families interested in joining their small private school.

Openings for students who would thrive in a small, tight-knit classroom environment:

There are two openings for current 2nd graders for the CURRENT school year (2024-25). Students would enroll now and stay with us through 8th grade.
15 openings in a newly forming 6th grade class for the NEXT school year (2025-26). Eligible students would currently be in 5th grade. Students would stay at Holy Family School from 6th through 8th grade and prepare rigorously for high school.

The benefits of a small, private school are:

Enroll now and stay through 8th grade
Small class sizes (15 students: 2 teachers)
Tuition-free for eligible families
Family-like atmosphere
Catholic faith-based
State-approved curriculum in math, reading, science, and social studies
Laptops or iPads for each student
Art, music, PE included
Parent Empowerment program 1 day/week: Practice English, earn a GED, or take college classes
A strong community of support

Click here to complete the interest form for 2nd grade. Click here to complete the interest form for 6th grade. After receiving their information, their staff will follow up with each family by phone or email.

Cañada College Puente Project

Do you want more support on your college journey? Cañada College Puente Project can help. Their mission is to increase the number of educationally underserved students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities. Puente provides students with the following benefits:

Priority Registration
First Day to Last Support
Puente Mentorship for the First Year
Puente Counselor's Transfer Support
Motivational Transfer Conference at a UC campus
Social Mixers and Field Trips
One Big, Supportive Puente Familia
Support with Puente Classes: English, Career & Life Planning and Transfer Essentials

Learn more about Puente here.

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
Click here for more information on how Immigrants Rising defines “undocumented.”
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.

Help Sequoia Hospital Improve Community Health

Sequoia Hospital wants to hear from you! Every three years, they check in with the community to understand what health and social issues matter most. By filling out a quick survey, you can let them know what’s important to you and your family.

Your feedback will guide programs and support, helping Sequoia Hospital meet real needs in our community.

It only takes a few minutes, and your voice can make a big difference!

Complete the short survey in English or Spanish.

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

Fresh Approach Community Garden Ambassador

Are you a San Mateo County resident interested in growing your knowledge of community gardening? Apply to be a Community Garden Ambassador with Fresh Approach. This part-time paid position consists of 6-10 hours a week for a 6-month term (November 2024 through May 2025).

You will have the chance to:

Support garden and landscape maintenance at Collective Roots Community Garden (2 positions) or Friendship Park (1 position)⁠
Coordinate workshops & volunteer workdays for our community garden network members and local residents⁠
Receive specialized gardening training, including food production, composting, and nutrition education⁠

Review the complete job description 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.

SMCCC Foundation Scholarships

The next scholarship cycle for the San Mateo County Community Colleges Foundation is NOW OPEN! This is a single application that allows you to apply to multiple scholarships all at once. The application deadline is approaching on March 3, 2025, at 4:30 pm. Apply now!

Providing Educational Opportunities (PEO) for Women

Application Deadline: January 15, 2025
Some qualifications: female; legal permanent resident or citizen; in good academic standing
If you want to apply, please let me know as soon as possible. All applicants need a recommendation from Upward Scholars.

Curry Award for Girls and Young Women

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Some qualifications: female aged 18–26; 3.3 GPA or higher; San Mateo County resident

Crain Scholarship Program

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university in fall 2024; community involvement; 3.5 GPA or better; high school or equivalent in San Mateo or Santa Clara County; full-time student in 2024

The Marie A. Calderilla Scholarship

Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Some qualifications: female; attending a college in the San Mateo County Community College District; U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, or AB 540 student

10,000 Degrees Scholarship

Application Deadline: March 3, 2025
Some qualifications: full-time student

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

Meet our Programs Team