Virtual Conversation Club is BACK, Dean's List, Know Your Rights, Immigrant Legal resources, & more

Dear Upward,

We hope you are settling into your classes and finding ways to be in community.

As we navigate these challenging times, please remember that we are here for you and that you are there for each other. Carefully read through the immigrant and legal resources we share and share them with others. All the information and resources we share with you are verified and accurate.

Now is not the time to spread misinformation and rumors. We need you to be aware, informed, and ready to take action for yourselves, your families, and our community.

Take care of yourself and each other, and stay safe! 💙🧡

Please read this newsletter, which includes virtual Conversation Club, Dean's List, Know Your Rights information, immigrant legal resources, and other community events and resources.

Upward Scholars Announcements

Virtual English Conversation Club

The Upward Scholars English Conversation Club is an opportunity to build confidence in your English conversation skills in a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.

Our next virtual Conversation Club:

Friday, April 4, 2025

6:30–7:45 pm

via Zoom

RSVP here by Friday, March 28, to join us.

Dean's List of Honor Letters

The community colleges sent Dean's List of Honor letters over the past several days. The Dean's List of Honor is awarded every semester to students who achieved a GPA of 3.30 or better in the previous semester.

If you received this letter, congratulations! Please ask someone to take a photo of you holding the letter (like the one pictured) and send it to us so we can celebrate you. This is an outstanding achievement, and we want to share it with our community.

Send your photos by email to Fabrice at fabrice@upwardscholars.org or text at (650)254-6205.

Emotional & 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.

Know Your Rights

You can download red cards in various languages here or pick up Spanish red cards from the Upward Scholars office (330 Twin Dolphin Dr, Ste 101, Redwood City, CA 94065).

Upward Scholars staff is typically in the office from 9 am to 5 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you plan to stop by for red cards, please let our team know ahead of time.

Know Your Rights (Save or Download this Information Here)

All people are protected under the law, regardless of immigration status.

If immigration comes to your home, work, or neighborhood, or if there are ICE raids nearby, call the San Mateo County Rapid Response Hotline at 203-666-4472 (203-NO-MIGRA).
Know your rights. Keep the red card handy at all times. If you encounter ICE, remember you have constitutional rights. (You can download a red card here.) Upward Scholars also has physical red cards you can pick up at our office.
Have a plan for you and your family in case someone is detained. Find plan templates here.
Do not sign ICE documents or speak to ICE officers without an attorney. Get advice from an attorney about your immigration options.
Find various resources for Legal Assistance here.
The SMC Office of Community Affairs also offers an immigrant resource guide in English, Spanish, and Chinese. You can find that resource here, and you can also request free copies of the guide on that site.
Find more resources on the County’s Immigrant Service page here.

Community Opportunities

Parent and Child Connections Series

Join the Parent & Child Connection Series to strengthen your bond through fun workshops and practical tips. Topics include emotions, mindfulness, problem-solving, self-esteem, and more.

This series will be in Spanish, and food and childcare will be provided.

Every Wednesday, February 26 – April 2, 2025

6:30–7:30 pm

PAL Center

3399 Bay Road, Redwood City

Financial Literacy for Adults

Adults between the ages of 25 and 35 are invited to financial literacy workshops meant to help them take control of their financial future. The sessions will cover topics like building savings, managing debt, planning for long-term goals, and making informed financial decisions.

Dinner is included.

Every Monday, March 10 – April 14, 2025

6:00–8:00 pm

Downtown Library Maker Space

1044 Middlefield Road, Redwood City

TaxAid

Get free help with your tax return! Tax-Aid offers no-cost tax preparation for Bay Area families and individuals earning less than $67,000. Bring copies of your tax documents, and volunteers will prepare your return. For details, visit tax-aid.org or call 415-229-9240.

In-person tax support dates:

Thursdays, March 13 & April 10, 2:00–6:00 pm
Saturdays, March 15, 22, & 29, 10 am–2:00 pm

Fair Oaks Community Center

2600 Middlefield Rd, Redwood City

OYE Celebration 2025

OYE is celebrating 13 years by bringing together hundreds of local teens and young adults ages 12 to 22. This day is an opportunity for youth and their parents to explore questions of identity and purpose and build community through hands-on workshops, inspirational speakers, artistic expression, community resource sharing, and networking.

Free admission.

Saturday, March 22, 2025

8:30 am–2:00 pm

Cañada College Theatre

4200 Farm Hill Blvd, Redwood City

Nature Lotería

Nature Loteria invites attendees to enjoy an evening filled with engaging activities, refreshments, and prizes, all set in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere.

Saturday, March 22, 2025

4:00–8:00 pm

Bloomhouse

2555 Pulgas Ave, East Palo Alto

World Café 2025

Join Redwood City Together for an evening celebrating immigrant journeys and communities through local speakers and facilitated dialogue! Connect with neighbors, share ideas, and be part of meaningful conversations that shape our community.

Childcare, food, and Spanish translation will be provided.

Thursday, April 24, 2025

5:30–8:00 pm

CZI Community Space

801 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City

Linking Immigrants to Benefits, Resources and Education (LIBRE)

LIBRE is a collaborative that provides:

Information about immigration, public benefits, and public charge
FREE application assistance for public benefits such as Medi-Cal, CalFresh, at:
Nuestra Casa: (650) 330-7472
Fair Oaks Community Center: (650) 780-7500
Coastside Hope: (650) 726-9071
FREE public benefits legal services
FREE immigration consultations for:
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewals
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
U Visa
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Learn more here. Contact LIBRE at (650) 517-8936.

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.

Yoga, Breathwork, & Meditation

Join Pal Center for a free, relaxing, beginner-friendly 60-minute session of gentle yoga, breathwork, and meditation. Find balance, release tension, and reconnect.

Every Friday from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm

3399 Bay Rd, Redwood City

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.

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.

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.

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.

Federal & State Financial Aid

The FAFSA and California Dream Act applications for the 2025–2026 academic school year are NOW OPEN for those who are eligible! Complete them as soon as possible.

Chicana Latina Foundation Leaders & Scholarship Program

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025
Some qualifications: full-time student; self-identify as a Chicana and/or Latina; lived at least 2 years in Northern California counties; 2.0 GPA or higher

Dr. Ernesto Galarza Scholarship

Application Deadline: April 15, 2025
Some qualifications: transferring to San Jose State University in the Fall; willingness to do readings about Dr. Galarzo to develop your scholarship essay

Great Minds in STEM Scholarship

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
Some qualifications: full-time student; enrolled in a STEM or health-related program; Hispanic descent and/or demonstrate significant leadership or service within the underserved community; 3.0 GPA or higher

Catalino Tapia Scholarship Foundation

Application Deadline: May 16, 2025
Some qualifications: full-time student; transferring to 4-year university; student and parents must live in San Mateo County; first-generation student; 2.5 GPA or higher

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

Our Programs Team

Contact our Programs Team with any questions regarding our programs and services.