Greetings!
Happy Black History Month! 🖤 We hope you are settling into your classes this semester and that you're excited to make it your best semester yet! Remember, Upward Scholars is here to help you meet your goals every step of the way.
Please read through this newsletter, which includes the Upward Scholars English Conversation Club, volunteer-led technology assistance, community resources, job opportunities, and upcoming scholarships.
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Upward Scholars Announcements |
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English Conversation Club

The Upward Scholars English Conversation Club is an opportunity for you as a student to build confidence in your English conversation skills via a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.
Our next virtual Conversation Club:
Friday, February 17, 2023
6:30–7:45 pm
RSVP as soon as possible to join us.
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Technology Volunteers
Did you know Upward Scholars has volunteers that support students with technological issues, especially those to do with laptops and computers?
Students in San Mateo County, contact Sue Kayton at kayton@alum.mit.edu or (650) 853-1711 (phone calls only) to receive assistance.
Students in Alameda County, contact Lisa Dueri at lisadueri@yahoo.com or (415) 621-9533 (phone and texts accepted) to receive assistance.
Please understand that Sue and Lisa are volunteers and will return your call or message when they are available. Be courteous and clear in all communications, and always mention that you are an Upward Scholars student. If you leave a voicemail, clearly state your name and call-back number.
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Platiquitas con Reverendo Gerardo GarcÃa Palacios
Para continuar apoyando la salud emocional y espiritual de los estudiantes de Upward Scholars, el Rev. Gerardo tendrá una Platiquita o conversación virtual sobre "Aprecio y Gratitud" el 10 de febrero a las 5 pm para estudiantes hispanohablantes en el Condado de San Mateo. Conéctate con tus compañeros y el reverendo y discute lo que "Aprecio y Gratitud" podrÃa significar para ti.
Para participar en la Platiquita, guarda este enlace de Zoom:
Spiritual Counseling with Reverend Gerardo GarcÃa Palacios
Upward Scholars offers all students and their families free spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo GarcÃa Palacios. The pandemic and recent storms affected all of us, and we want you to express your struggles and be heard in a safe, confidential, and virtual environment. People of all beliefs are welcome, and Rev. Gerardo is English-Spanish bilingual.
Schedule a session with Rev. Gerardo by emailing him at pastorgarcia1679@outlook.com or calling/texting him at (650) 387-9174. Tell him your full name, and if a family member schedules a session, they should also give the name of the Upward Scholars student they were referred by.
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Benefits for Undocumented Students
Want to learn more about the benefits and resources available to undocumented students in the Bay Area? Join Cañada College on Wednesday, February 8, from 12:30 to 2 pm. Register here to attend. The event will be in person and recorded, and all participant information will remain confidential.
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Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young Samaritan Award Application
Samaritan House is giving an award to at least two young change-makers ($2,000 each) living in San Mateo County and whose community service work models Dr. Clemons’ commitment to service. The applicants must be 16-22 years old and live and serve in San Mateo County. Applications must be submitted by midnight on Sunday, February 12, 2023.
Click here to learn more and apply. If you are not eligible, please share this opportunity with someone who is.
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Free Tax Help from Tax-Aid
It's tax season! Tax-Aid offers free tax help for households that earn less than $60,000. Their expert Bay Area tax volunteers give you the confidence to prepare taxes adequately and can provide tax support and advice year-round in your preferred language. They have several options, including curbside drop-off, in-person tax help, and virtual services.
Click here to learn more. Their website is available in multiple languages.
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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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ODE Parent Project
Do you want to build a stronger relationship with your kids? The Parent Project is a FREE 13-week class for anyone interested in learning communication skills that can build stronger, healthier relationships in the home. Classes are virtual and start on Thursday, February 16, from 6 to 8:30 pm.
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Storm-soaked Residents Can Apply for Federal Disaster Assistance
Homeowners and renters in San Mateo and Alameda counties with damage or losses due to the New Year’s storms can apply for federal disaster assistance.
Disaster assistance may include grants to help pay for temporary housing and essential home repairs and other serious disaster-related needs such as medical and dental expenses, transportation, child care, and moving and storage expenses.
The deadline to apply is March 16, 2023.
Disaster-related assistance may include:
- Rental payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable;
- Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items;
- Unemployment payments for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and do not qualify for state benefits (self-employed);
- Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance;
- Crisis counseling for those traumatized by the disaster; or
- Advisory assistance for legal veterans’ benefits and social security matters.
To apply, FEMA provides the following guidance for homeowners and renters:
If you have insurance, first file a claim with your insurance provider. FEMA assists applicants with uninsured or underinsured disaster-caused expenses and serious needs. FEMA assistance cannot aid with losses already covered by insurance.
There are several ways that you can apply for FEMA assistance:
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Visit DisasterAssistance.gov
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Download the FEMA mobile app
- Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362. Help is available in many languages. If you use video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service, or others, give FEMA the number for that service. Helpline operators speak many languages, and lines are open daily. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for an interpreter who speaks your language.
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For an accessible video on how to apply, click here.
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Hidden Villa Summer Camp
The beautiful setting and open philosophy of Hidden Villa make for an especially memorable experience for children of all ages. The camp is designed to grow with children and adjust to meet their needs, introducing them to wilderness and farm activities, fostering leadership skills and responsibility, and emphasizing respect for the environment and others. While there are fees associated with the camp, financial aid is available.
Their camps are filling up fast, but there are still spaces available in:
- Kinder Camp
- Residential Community Camp
- Farm & Wilderness Camp
- Counselors in Training
- Leaders in Training
You can sign up for the waitlist if a camp session is full. Learn more about Hidden Villa programs and sessions here.
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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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Meta Summer Academy 2023
The 2023 Meta Summer Academy application is now live. Meta Summer Academy is a six-week career exploration summer program that immerses underrepresented high school students in the tech industry. The application can be found here and is due March 1, 2023.
Learn more about the academy here and encourage your high schoolers to apply.
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Earn Your High School Diploma for Free with Career Online High School
Start your year by getting your high school diploma for free through the Redwood City Public Library. Career Online High School offers adults the opportunity to complete their high school education and gain career training through a self-paced, supportive, and accredited online education program. Click here to learn more and take the survey to see if the school is right for you.
Current Upward Scholars student Kamilia is featured on the page. Congratulations, Kamilia! 🎉
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BACHAC Community Mammograms
Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC), in partnership with Mills-Peninsula and the Peninsula Health Care District, is honored to offer free early-detection mammograms to uninsured women in the community.
If you would like to register to receive your mammogram through this program, please call Evelia Chairez at 650.483.9663 or Julio Campos at 650.888.6071. Whether or not you have health insurance, you may qualify for financial assistance.
An early-detection mammogram is for you if:
- You have not had a mammogram in the past year,
- If you do not have symptoms such as pain, lumps, or redness in the breast area,
- If you are over 40 years old.
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External Employment Opportunities |
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Case Worker at El Concilio of San Mateo County
El Concilio of San Mateo County is looking for a part-time Case Worker to provide various support services for clients in emergencies, including shelter, housing, food, health/mental, and other critical family service needs in our East Palo Alto office. Learn more here.
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Expanded Learning Opportunities Program
Are you a talented, enthusiastic, and diverse individual looking to impact students positively? Join Community-Based Organizations to support Redwood City School District students in their extended day learning programs! The Expanded Learning Opportunities Program brings together the Redwood City School District and multiple Community-Based Organizations to support Redwood City School District students in an Extended Day Program. This is a paid position opportunity through one of the partner community-based organizations. They will train and support you in sparking curiosity and illuminating the world of opportunity available through education. Complete the interest form here.
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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.
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 2, 2022, at 11:59 pm. Apply now!
Financial Aid
The FAFSA and California Dream Act applications for the 2023–2024 academic school year are NOW OPEN for those who are eligible! Complete them as soon as possible and before March 2, 2023, to secure your financial aid and enrollment in Upward Scholars.
- Application Deadline: February 15, 2023
- Some qualifications: must be of Hispanic heritage; minimum of 2.5 GPA; transferring to a four-year university; planning to enroll full-time
- Application Deadline: February 28, 2023
- Some qualifications: must be of Latino or Hispanic origin; majoring in a STEM-related field; transferring to a 4-year undergraduate university; 3.0 GPA or higher
- Application Deadline: February 28, 2023
- Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university; preference given to students who transfer to a UC; GPA of 3.5 or better is preferred; currently enrolled in an SMC Community College or Foothill/De Anza College
- Application Deadline: March 2, 2023
- Some qualifications: full-time student
- Application Deadline: March 7, 2023
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Some qualifications: live in San Bruno or attend Skyline College; first-year student at a community college or transfer student from a community college to a four-year university; open to undocumented students; full-time student
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, don't hesitate to 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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