Greetings!
Summer is here! If you're taking classes this summer, we hope they are off to a great start, and if you're taking a break, we hope you are reenergized to come back strong in the fall.
Please read through this newsletter, which includes Upward Scholars' Graduation Celebration, Summer Office Closure, Summer and Fall Program Applications, and many community events and resources.
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Upward Scholars Announcements |
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Upward Scholars Graduation Celebration
Join us to get inspired and celebrate your peers' remarkable academic accomplishments at Upward Scholars' Graduation Celebration! This year, we have a record-breaking 35 graduates, 11 of whom earned associate degrees!
No matter where you are in your journey, if you continue to work hard, you too can celebrate your graduation in the future!
Join us!
Sunday, June 18
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm via Zoom
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Summer Office Closure
Please note that the Upward Scholars staff will be on Summer Break from July 3 to July 7. 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 on July 10. Have a great summer!
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Upward Scholars Summer & Fall 2023 Applications
The Upward Scholars Summer and Fall 2023 Applications are open! Please apply now for the Summer 2023 Semester (due June 20) and the Fall 2023 Semester to continue receiving our support and benefits.
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Spiritual Counseling with Reverend Gerardo García Palacios
Upward Scholars offers all students and their families free spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo García Palacios. People of all beliefs are welcome, and Rev. Gerardo is English-Spanish bilingual.
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LevelUp Summer Program for BCC Students
The LevelUp program seeks to help underrepresented students build rewarding careers by facilitating essential knowledge and professional development. It is designed to help students define personal interests; build on skill sets that improve leadership, public speaking, interviewing, and teamwork; build effective and efficient resumes, cover letters, and elevator pitches; leverage mentorship; and grow professional connections.
Program Requirements:
- Must be a Berkeley City College student
- Attend and fully engage in all 8 group sessions
- Complete weekly homework
- Willingness to step out of comfort zone
- Willingness to work on a team
- Willingness to complete an individual project that will be shared with others in the community
Click here to apply. The program starts Monday, July 10.
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Free Immigration Legal Services by IIBA
The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) offers free immigration legal services to all California Community College students—including you—such as comprehensive immigration consultations and DACA renewals, and right now, they even have funding to cover the DACA filing fees.
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Family Campout
The Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation will be hosting their annual family campout this year on July 21 & 22, click here to learn more about the campout.
They will be providing scholarships to 10% of their participants. If you're interested in this opportunity and need financial assistance, please complete this form.
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Fresh Approach East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market
The Fresh Approach East Palo Alto Community Farmers’ Market is back! It is open for the season of 2023, from April 19 until Mid-November. The Market operates every Wednesday from 9 am to 1 pm. Located at 2555 Pulgas Ave, East Palo Alto, Bloomhouse is a partner non-profit doing great things for the East Palo Alto community.
At the Farmers’ Markets, shoppers with CalFresh EBT (SNAP), WIC, SSI/SSDI, Medi-Cal, or Unemployment benefits can receive a dollar-for-dollar match to buy more fresh fruits and vegetables, essentially doubling their original food budget. Visit the information booth to get more details! They accept cash, credit, and EBT!
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Family Connections FREE 4-week Summer Program
Family Connections offers a FREE 4-week summer program in East Palo Alto and Redwood City for caregivers and children 1-5 years old.
Children 1–3 years and their caregivers will come together on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am–12 pm. Children 3–5 years will meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 am–1 pm.
Daily activities include story time, singing and movement, arts and crafts, outdoor play, gardening, and more. Spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis.
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Housing Navigation Workshops by the Unity Council
The Unity Council is hosting free workshops on navigating rental websites, what to do when you have a housing opportunity, affordable housing, fair housing, and tenant rights. Join them virtually or in person. Some sessions are also offered in Spanish. Attendees will receive $25 gift cards while supplies last.
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San Mateo US 101 Express Lanes: Community Transportation Benefits Program
The new Community Transportation Benefits Program helps cover transportation costs for qualifying individuals in San Mateo County. Participants can choose from one of two transportation benefits; a $100 Transit Credit on a Clipper Card (Annual benefit) or a $100 Toll Credit on a FasTrak Transponder (One-time Benefit).
To qualify for either transportation benefit under this program, a participant must meet the following three qualifications to enroll:
- A resident of San Mateo County,
- Age 18 or older
- Earn an individual income at or below $78,300 (for 2022)
For more information on the program, click here.
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Functional Fitness & Balance Class at Sequoia YMCA
Join Sequoia YMCA for a low-impact workout that incorporates gentle resistance and balance exercises. Improve your cardiovascular endurance and build muscle strength. Appropriate for beginners and older adults.
Classes are on Thursdays from 9–9:45 am and are free.
Click here for more information.
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Mariposa Program
Individuals in San Mateo County that are recipients of Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and San Mateo County Access and Care for Everyone (ACE) benefits are eligible for a free Parks annual pass! To learn more, contact the San Mateo County Human Services Agency at 650-508-3200.
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Free Webinar about LGBTQ Issues for Young Children
Children develop concepts of gender, families, and love before age five. It's important that adults have the information they need to support young children in feeling safe and confident in their bodies, families, classrooms, and world.
This training is for parents, caregivers, and anyone who wants a more expansive, welcoming world for young children. Multiple dates cover the same content so that most people can participate. Click on your desired date below to register.
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Free Caltrain Passes for SMC Residents
Caltrain Go Pass provides free train trips on Caltrain between any zone at any time. Approved applicants will receive a special Clipper Card loaded with the Go Pass. This card must be used to tag on and off at the Caltrain Stations for valid use. Go Passes are good until 12/31/23, with limited supply.
Eligibility requirements:
- Make less than $70,000/year
- Work or live in San Mateo County
- Plan on using the card at least twice a week
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External Employment Opportunities |
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Tutor Fellow at Elevate Tutoring
Elevate Tutoring is currently accepting applications for Tutor Fellow positions. This is a great opportunity that we encourage you and any eligible friends, family members, or classmates to apply for. Remember to submit your application before the deadline on June 25, 2023.
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Part-time Case Worker at El Concilio
El Concilio of San Mateo County is looking for a bilingual person that is committed to helping the community, is resourceful, and has strong listening and navigational skills. The Case Worker will provide a variety of support services for clients who are in emergency situations, including shelter, housing, food, health/mental, and other critical family service needs. Click here to learn more and apply.
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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.
If you hear of any employment opportunities, please contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org, and she will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Upcoming Scholarships
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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 Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.
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 (e.g., DACA, TPS, and in-state tuition eligibility). Only opportunities with due dates within the next 180 days appear on the list. Use the filters to find scholarships that could be right for you, and click on the scholarship to learn more and apply!
Click here to find an array of scholarships specific to your major or area of study.
If you know of any other scholarship opportunities with deadlines in the next few weeks or months, please email me at jessica@upwardscholars.org, and I will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Thank you for reading through this newsletter. I hope it was helpful to you. If you have any further questions or want help with anything you read here, please contact me.
Onward & upward,
Jessica
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Upward Scholars provides adult immigrants the boost they need to move up
the economic ladder through education and career development support.
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