|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
As adult immigrants in San Mateo County juggle work, family and school in one of the most expensive regions in the country, a local nonprofit is stepping in to bridge the gap between English classes and college degrees, helping students stay enrolled and build pathways to higher-paying careers.
Founded in 2009 by staff and volunteers at Sequoia Adult School, Upward Scholars began after an English-as-a-second-language teacher noticed many students completing adult school only to remain in low-paying jobs, despite opportunities to continue their education at nearby community colleges. The program initially supported two students transitioning to Cañada College in 2010 and has since grown steadily through partnerships with adult schools and colleges across the county.
“Many of our students face barriers like language, transportation and finances,” Programs Coordinator Alma Noriega said. “Upward Scholars provides the academic, financial, holistic and career support that adult immigrants need to move up the economic ladder. Even small supports can make a big difference in a student’s confidence and opportunities”.
In 2019, Upward Scholars expanded from serving one adult school and one community college to all five adult schools in San Mateo County and all three community colleges in San Mateo County. While many students still come from Sequoia Adult School and attend Cañada College, the nonprofit now supports students at College of San Mateo and Skyline College as well.
Upward Scholars structures its support around four areas: financial, academic, career development and holistic. Financial assistance includes help paying for textbooks, transportation, computers and food, resources staff say are often the deciding factor in whether a student can stay enrolled.
“Upward Scholars covers the cost of my textbooks, which is a huge support because I don’t have to worry about paying for them,” said Noriega, who also benefits from some of the programs. “I receive free tutoring, and my tutor helps me improve my English conversation skills. These supports have made a real difference in my confidence and my ability to grow academically and professionally.”
Academic support includes tutoring and mentoring from volunteers, an English conversation club and help with transfers to four-year institutions and scholarships.
Career development programs help students explore fields with sustainable wages, including early childhood education, translation and interpretation, entrepreneurship and other community college pathways. The organization also employs students and alumni which it says offers professional experience while building advocacy skills.
Holistic support has become a central part of the program’s work, particularly since the COVID-19 Pandemic. Diana Viscarra, the organization’s programs director and a former Upward Scholars student, said students often face significant emotional and mental strain in addition to financial pressure.
“During the pandemic we saw our students losing jobs, losing hours and dealing with so much stress,” Viscarra said. “We realized they needed emotional and spiritual support, not just academic help, so they could stay focused and continue their education.”
Viscarra said the nonprofit now offers individual and group counseling, emergency assistance and resource navigation to help students remain stable while in school. Demand for food assistance and grocery gift cards has been particularly high.
“Everything is expensive right now,” she said. “Anything we can do to help students access food or reduce their stress helps them focus on their classes and their goals”
Both Noriega and Viscarra said the program’s impact is immediate and personal. Viscarra credits Upward Scholars with changing her own educational path, from ESL courses to transferring to a four-year university and pursuing a master’s degree.
“I started the program just wanting to improve my English,” she said. “I never really saw myself going into higher education or a different career. But with the support and encouragement I received, I realized I had other options.”
Upward Scholars says community donations are critical to sustaining the program as more students seek help navigating higher education in one of the most expensive regions in the country.
“When people support Upward Scholars, they are directly helping immigrant students build skills, gain confidence and create long-term economic stability for themselves and their families,” Noriega said.
