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CONFERENCE OVERVIEW
Date: Saturday, January 21, 2012, 8:30AM–3:30PM
Location: San Francisco State University, César Chávez Student Center
Ticket Price: $20/person (includes lunch)
Do you work with undocumented high school or college students? Join teachers, counselors, school administrators and other allies for a daylong conference about undocumented students. You’ll get updated on current policy and learn how to support students with their academic, financial, legal, and emotional health needs.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE (Download Conference Program)
- 8:30-9:00 Registration
- 9:00-9:40 Keynote by Roberto Gonzales
- 9:40-10:15 Working with Undocumented Students 101
- 10:30-11:30 Workshops Session 1
- 11:45-12:45 Lunch & Student Stories
- 1:00-2:00 Workshops Session 2
- 2:15-3:30 Workshops Session 3
GENERAL SESSION WORKSHOPS
Moving Beyond the Single Story: Engaging A Comprehensive Strategy in Our Work With Undocumented Youth (Keynote by Roberto Gonzales)
The recent reintroduction of the DREAM (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors) Act in the 112th Congress has once again raised awareness of the untenable situation facing more than 2.1 million undocumented immigrant children and young adults who have lived in the U.S. since childhood. Each year, tens of thousands of undocumented youngsters leave American high schools to embark upon uncertain futures. Due to a greater level of scholarly and community activity, however, we now know much more about their lived experiences than we did even five years ago. Professor Gonzales takes a holistic approach in examining the range of challenges facing undocumented youth, and explores community, institutional, and policy solutions to address their needs. Drawing from research in California, Washington, and Illinois, he finds that conflicting and contradictory laws move undocumented youth from experiences of belonging and inclusion to rejection and exclusion. The multiple transitions that undocumented youth experience in their adolescent and adult transitions have important implications for their identity formation, friendship patterns, aspirations and expectations, mental and emotional health, and social mobility
Roberto Gonzales' Bio:
For the past decade, Professor Roberto Gonzales has studied the everyday experiences of undocumented youth. He is an Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago's School of Social Service Administration and the author of numerous publications, including Young Lives on Hold: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students (College Board) and Learning to Be Illegal: Undocumented Youth and Shifting Legal Contexts in the Transition to Adulthood (American Sociological Review).
Read Professor Gonzales' work:
- Conference Presentation Slides (PPT)
- Research and Biography (University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration)
- Young Lives on Hold: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students (College Board)
- Learning to be Illegal: Undocumented Youth and the Confusing and Contradictory Routes to Adulthood (American Sociological Review)
Support for Undocumented Students 101: An Overview
by Katharine Gin
This presentation provides an overview of how educators and allies can support college-bound undocumented students. It includes information, tips and resources about relevant federal and CA state policies; useful demographics; the importance of role models; how to find financial and legal support; and the need to instill agency in students.
Presenter: Katharine Gin (Cofounder and Executive Director, E4FC)
- Download Katharine's Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Download E4FC's Fact Sheet about College-bound Undocumented Students (PDF)
- Download E4FC's Top 10 Ways to Support Undocumented Students Handout (PDF)
- Watch Undocumented and Awkward: Episode 7 (YouTube)
STUDENT STORIES
BREAKOUT WORKSHOPS
Building Institutional Support for AB540 Students: City College of San Francisco
City College of San Francisco (CCSF) is an excellent case study for how colleges can build institutional support for AB 540 students. Early advocacy included creation of an AB 540 Task Force and fundraising for scholarships; more recently, CCSF has created an on-campus resource center and secured $200K of Board-approved funding for internships. Panelists will discuss how student organizing and faculty advocacy coalesced to develop critical support systems for students.
Presenters: Carlos Martinez (Student Leader, CCSF), Steve Ngo (Trustee CCSF), Leticia Silva (Counselor, Latino Services Network, CCSF), and Nancy Vargas (Academic Counselor for Continuing Students, CCSF)
- Download the CCSF Handout (PDF)
Emotional Health Needs of Undocumented Students
This workshop will provide a general framework for understanding the emotional and psychological experiences of being undocumented. It will also provide recommendations for how educators can help students’ address and get support for their emotional and mental health needs. Material for this workshop comes from the development of E4FC’s forthcoming Emotional & Mental Health Guide for Undocumented Students.
Presenter: Jose Arreola (Outreach Manager, E4FC)
Helping Undocumented Students Pay for College
This workshop will provide an overview of the various ways educators can support undocumented students in finding ways to finance their college education. Topics of discussion include financial aid (including updates on AB 130 & 131), searching for scholarships, support for students in the application process, and grassroots fundraising.
Presenters: Rose Carmona (Counselor, University Scholarship Specialist, AB 540 Specialist, SFSU), Amy H. Lee (Ed.D., Director, TRiO Student Support Services, Laney College), Yolanda Santiago Venegas (SFSU MA Composition Program; USF Writing Instructor), and Joshua Weintraub (College Advisor & Internship Coordinator, Lighthouse Community Charter School)
- Download the Paying for College Presentation Slides (PPT)
- Download E4FC's Scholarships that Don't Require Social Security Numbers (PDF)
- Download E4FC's Financial Aid Guide (PDF)
How to Be an Effective High School Ally
Who are undocumented students, and how can we help them? In this workshop, a teacher, a student, and community partners from Sequoia High School in Redwood City share ideas for creating a culture of support for undocumented students within school and beyond.
Presenters: Sheryl Muñoz-Bergman (San Mateo County Program Director, International Institute of the Bay Area), Itzel Diaz (Student, Sequoia High School), Maria Fernandez (Policy & Program Senior Manager, John Gardner Center), Jane Slater (Teacher, Sequoia High School)
- Download High School Ally Presentation Slides (PPT)
Legal Support for Undocumented Students
Educators are often faced with questions regarding a student's ability to pursue legalization of status and legally seek out opportunities in and out of school. This workshop will provide an overview of E4FC's Legal Services, Essential "Know-Your-Rights" Information, and Useful Tips For Obtaining Legal Representation. Our hope is to provide some useful legal tools and information so that educators can better assist undocumented students.
Presenters: Krsna Avila (Legal Services Manager, E4FC) and Francisco Gonzalez (Legal Services Supervisor, E4FC; Immigration Legal Service Manager, Catholic Charities of San Francisco)
- Download Legal Support Presentation Slides (PDF)
- Learn more about E4FC's Case Analysis Service
- Download E4FC's Guide for Students in Removal Proceedings (PDF)
Road Maps to Ensuring Successful Enrollment at CA Public Colleges
This workshop will identify important roadblocks that can prevent AB 540 students from successfully enrolling in classes at California public colleges and universities. Educators will gain a clearer understanding of the differences in program eligibility among California systems and how to get answers to pressing questions.
Presenters: Nancy Jodaitis (Office of Student Financial Aid & Transfer Articulation Bridge Program; Advisor to IDEAS, San Francisco State University), Fabrizio Mejia (SLAS/ EOP Director, UC Berkeley), Leticia Silva (Latino Services Network, City College San Francisco), and Meng So (SLAS/ EOP Counselor, UC Berkeley)
- Download Potential Roadblocks for AB 540 Students Handout (PDF)
- Download SF State Enrollment Information Handout (PDF)
Storytelling for Healing & Advocacy
This workshop will provide an overview and learning from the development of E4FC’s workshop “The Power of Telling Your Story.” Storytelling encourages undocumented students to process and express their life journey as a means towards personal liberation and community building. Our hope is that educators walk away with inspiration and context to encourage their own students to use creative expression and their own journeys as ways to advocate for themselves and broader reform.
Presenters: Chris Heinrich (MSW Student, Smith College School for Social Work) and Sara Lipton-Carey (MSW Student, Smith College School for Social Work)
Update on Advocacy for/by Undocumented Students
Attendees will get the latest updates on the Federal DREAM Act and the California DREAM Act (AB 130 and AB 131) as well as the recent attempted referendum against AB 131. Attendees will also learn about the national undocumented student movement and how educators and allies can get involved and become more informed advocates.
Presenter: Blanca Hernandez (Co-founder, Bay Area DREAM Act Coalition; Team Member, E4FC Legal Services Team)
What's Ahead: Life After College for Undocumented Students
While it may seem that undocumented students have limited options after graduating from college, this workshop will shed light on the possibilities that do exist. In this session we will discuss the graduate school experience for undocumented students and offer suggestions for how educators can assist students with the process. We will also discuss possibilities for undocumented students to earn a living, specifically what it means to be an independent contractor and how to become a sole proprietor. It is our desire that educators walk away from this event feeling encouraged and well informed about how to guide undocumented students after college.
Presenters: Bill Ong Hing (Professor of Law, USF; Professor Emeritus, UC Davis School of Law), Mario Lio (Student Support Coordinator, E4FC), Iliana Perez (Author, E4FC’s “Life After College” Guide; Ph.D. Candidate in Educational Studies, Claremont Graduate University), and Karla Reyes (Founder and Owner, KRC Public Relations)
- Download E4FC's Life After College Guide (PDF)
MORE INFORMATION?
Email our Event Coordinator at
CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Miguel Abad (College Track), Jose Arreola (E4FC), Katharine Gin (E4FC), Chris Heinrich (Smith College School for Social Work), Mitzi Iniguez, (SLAS/EOP, UC Berkeley), Nancy Jodaitis (San Francisco State University), Amy Lee (Laney Community College), Sara Lipton-Carey (Smith College School for Social Work), Tony Press (Retired Teacher), Jessica Samples (College Track), Meng So (SLAS/EOP, UC Berkeley), Jane Slater (Sequoia High School)
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