By Nate Galvan | galvanna@sonoma.edu
Rohnert Park, CA — Sonoma State University's DREAM Center, which aims to provide a safe space for undocumented students to receive academic, personal, and professional guidance, has been recognized with an esteemed award for it’s development of a program for undocumented students interested in immigration-related issues.
The DREAM Center’s ASPIRE Fellowship Program, which offers job skills training opportunities to students that are unable to be employed on campus due to their immigration status, was recently awarded the NASPA Region VI Innovative Program Award. The program provides students with a stipend for their leadership on campus where they are acquiring skills that can be used to build a resume.
This award recognizes SSU’s DREAM Center for outstanding programming that results in improved service to students and enhances life on campus.
“This is an incredible honor and well deserved,” said Wm. Gregory Sawyer, vice president for Student Affairs. “The Division of Student Affairs is extremely proud and grateful for the Dream Center team and their coordinator, Rosa Salamanca Moreira, for developing this creative and heartfelt program that benefits our undocumented students by providing a stipend based professional learning environment.”
And, as a further recognition of their important work serving undocumented students, the DREAM Center has been awarded a $15,000 grant from the Community Foundation Sonoma County. The grant will allow the DREAM Center flexibility to expand its Undocu-Survival Initiative, which provides financial and technology assistance to undocumented students so that that they may continue in their education and employment.
The grant will provide resources to undocumented students in a wide range of areas, from at-home learning environment upgrades such as laptops, hotspots, and noise-canceling headphones to assistance with DACA renewal application scholarships and basic needs grants for students financially impacted by COVID-19.
“Undocumented families are essential, however, they do not qualify for federally funded programs,” said Rosa Salamanca, DREAM Center coordinator. “With the generous support from the Community Foundation Sonoma County, the DREAM Center is beyond excited to provide financial and technology assistance for undocumented students on campus.”
The DREAM Center, which is now in its third year on campus, and assists more than 200 undocumented students currenlty attending Sonoma State. For more information about the DREAM Center, visit the DREAM Center website, and for resources regarding finding career opportunities for undocumented students, visit the Career Center’s Uncodumented and DACA students website.
ABOUT US: With a student population of 9,200, Sonoma State is a regionally serving public university committed to educational access and excellence. Guided by our core values and driven by a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, Sonoma State delivers high-quality education through innovative programs that leverage the economic, cultural and natural resources of the North Bay. See more news from SSU at http://news.sonoma.edu/