Undocumented students get leg up from clubs
By Lucas Almeida
The Guardsman
They strive and join hands for the same cause — Students Advocating For Equity and the Club of Brazil are two City College clubs with a common goal: to foster academic success among undocumented students.
S.A.F.E. was formed in 2010 and now has 30 active members, said S.A.F.E. president Grecia Castañeda.
“We focus on giving resources to the undocumented community here at City College as well as getting allies to support us and to spread the word about the resources we have available, such as scholarships,” she said.
According to their website, S.A.F.E provides information to undocumented students by letting them know if they qualify for in-state tuition based on the AB540 state law.
In order to qualify, students must have attended a California high school for 3 or more academic years. They must have graduated (or plan to graduate) from a California high school, attained a GED or received a passing mark on the California High School Proficiency Exam. Furthermore, they should be registered or be currently enrolled at an accredited college in California and demonstrate their intention to apply for legal residency as soon as possible.
For those who are too old to attend high school Castañeda recommends the transitional program at Mission campus.
“Mission campus offers you a program where you can do your three years of high school and then get your diploma which would help you to qualify for AB540,” she said.
S.A.F.E. is currently outreaching and creating alliances with the Club of Brazil.
With a passion for social work, club president Joao Possagnoli started researching resources to help his friends and others in the Brazilian community.
Possagnoli believes the alliance with S.A.F.E is a key to keeping students informed. He wants to bring new light to those who have given up on their education to join the workforce.
“Anyone in the Brazilian community who wants to study here at City College and know more about the process, the resources, the need of counselors — Club of Brazil will send those people to S.A.F.E. and Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement, where ultimately they will be providing all the resources for undocumented students.”
Castañeda says that S.A.F.E.’s main goal for 2012 is for the club to be more diverse, breaking the stereotype that the club is only for undocumented Latino students.
“I know we now have 30 members but we want to get more of a mix,” said Castañeda. “We want students to join the club from different races. People say ‘Oh, this club is only for Latino students’ when it’s not. The club is for every undocumented student at City College and we want to reach out to all of them.”
S.A.F.E and VIDA will have a grand opening event this semester on Feb. 29 from noon to 3 p.m. on the upper level of the Student Union. Guest speakers at the event will include college trustee Steve Ngo, District 9 supervisor David Campos and Chancellor Don Griffin.