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Dear Upward,
Congratulations on (almost) getting through finals! You are so close to the end of the semester. We believe in you, so keep going to finish the semester strong!
Please read through this newsletter, which includes Upward Scholars Office Closure, Spring 2024 Application and college enrollment, and community events and resources.
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Upward Scholars Announcements | |
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Upward Scholars Office Closure
Please note that the Upward Scholars office will be closed, and staff will be on Winter Break, from December 22 to January 2. 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 January 3.
Upward Scholars Spring 2024 Application
The Upward Scholars Spring 2024 Application is now open! Apply now for the Spring 2024 Semester to continue receiving our support and benefits.
If you have any questions, contact Programs Coordinator Adriana Luna at adriana@upwardscholars.org or (650) 200-3444 or Alma Noriega at alma@upwardscholars.org or (650) 254-6193.
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Spring 2024 Community College Enrollment
SMCCD Students: Open enrollment for Spring 2024 begins November 15, 2023.
PCCD Students: Open enrollment for Spring 2024 begins November 15, 2023.
Enroll for Spring classes through your community college portal now.
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Live Oak Laughs: Local Stand-up Comedy
Head to Live Oak Community Center for a night of stand-up comedy featuring talented Bay Area comics. The four acts include regulars at Bay Area clubs and comedy competitions, a storyteller who engages in wordplay, and an Oaklander who’s as comfortable spinning jokes in a club or a church. Parents can pre-register for convenient onsite childcare for children 5-13.
Live Oak Community Center, 1301 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704
Friday, December 8, 2023
Doors open: 7:30 pm, Show: 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Cost: $20
Ages 18 and up
Register here for a night of fun and laughter.
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San Mateo County Toy and Book Drive Wrapping Party
The holiday season is a time of joy, happiness, family, and friendship. The annual San Mateo County Holiday Toy and Book Drive has become a welcomed tradition in the Redwood City community and can only happen with your help.
Join on December 11 from 4–8 pm at Red Morton Community Center for the annual Wrapping Party to help wrap gifts for families in need!
For more information, please contact Police Officer Leila Velez at (650) 465-3308 or lvelez@redwoodcity.org.
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How to Become Your Child's Favorite Conversation Partner
How can you better connect and communicate with your child or teen? This holiday season, join this new Parent Forum with Dr. Eran Magen, population health psychologist and founder of Parenting for Humans.
Friday, December 15, 2023, 12 pm – 1 pm
Parents and caregivers are welcome! Register for this free virtual event here.
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Winter Wonderland
Parents, bring your children aged 1-10 to Red Morton Community Center on December 16 from 5–8 pm for a fun Winter Wonderland Celebration!
Tickets are $10 per child, and parent/guardian tickets are free with child admission. Enjoy cookie decorating, photos with Santa, a candy cane hunt, a hot cocoa station, winter crafts, an imagination playground, inflatables, and more!
Register here. Tickets will be sold at the door as available.
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Triple P Positive Parenting Program
Family Connections is hosting two free upcoming groups (one in English and one in Spanish) for families with children birth through five years of age living in San Mateo County.
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 have a strong bond with their children, help them grow socially and emotionally, and handle difficult behavior in a positive way.
Participation in Triple P requires an 8-week commitment:
4 virtual sessions, 3 individualized check-in phone calls, and 1 final in-person celebratory session. Gift cards will be raffled, and other incentives will be provided to caregivers participating in all eight sessions.
Spanish session begins January 9, 2024. English session begins January 10, 2024. Enroll here.
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The Unity Council's Career & Resource Center
Do you need assistance building your credit score or accessing training, computer classes, housing, rentals, or other services? Our new partners at the Unity Council's Career and Resource Center are here to help.
They are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm (1900 Fruitvale Ave, Oakland, CA 94601). Learn more about how they can help by attending an orientation in English or Spanish or visiting their website here.
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El Concilio of San Mateo County
El Concilio is committed to increasing education, employment, and access to quality services to underserved communities in San Mateo County. They have various community programs in English and Spanish, including programs to help you apply for Medi-Cal, save money on your phone or PG&E bills, and much more!
Learn more about their year-round services here or by reviewing their flyer.
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Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay Job Support
VACCEB is a new Upward Scholars partner serving Southeast Asians and other immigrants and refugees across the Bay Area through educational, cultural, and social services, promoting economic self-sufficiency in these communities. Their programs include food security, employment services, ESL, digital literacy and citizenship classes, senior social activities, and health and wellness.
Learn more about VACCEB here.
VACCEB started their Employment Program to help people like you get the jobs they want. The workshops will be every month on the second Thursday at 10 am and again at 2 pm.
To sign up, contact Annalise at ainamine@vacceb.org, Linah at Isofi@vacceb.org, or Brett at bzhang@vacceb.org.
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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.
Book your consultation here or call (650) 587-1502.
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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.
Scholarship Opportunities
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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.
Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Student
- Application Deadline: January 11, 2024
- Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university in fall 2024; 3.5 GPA or higher
Providing Educational Opportunities (PEO) for Women
- Application Deadline: January 15, 2024
- 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 29, 2024, noon
- Some qualifications: female aged 18–26; 3.3 GPA or higher; San Mateo County resident
Crain Scholarship Program
- Application Deadline: February 29, 2024, noon
- 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
10,000 Degrees Scholarship
- Application Deadline: March 2, 2024
- Some qualifications: full-time student
Crestmoor Neighborhood Memorial Scholarship
- Application Deadline: March 5, 2024, 5 pm
- 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 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 (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.
Happy Holidays,
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. | | | | |
