Student Services
COVID-19 Urgent Resources | Campus Closure Updates | Previous Newsletters
May 2021— Updated COVID-19 Survey, Spiritual and Emotional Counseling, Partner Programs, Scholarships, & more
Dear Upward Scholars Students,
I hope the end of Spring semester is going well. Your Upward Scholars family believes in you to get through final exams and papers in the coming weeks. As COVID-19 vaccine eligibility and supply increases, we continue to encourage our community to stay informed on where they can get appointments to receive the vaccine. Remember to continue to wear your mask and avoid large gatherings.
Please read through this month's newsletter as it includes our Updated COVID-19 Student Survey, free Spiritual Counseling sessions, external program opportunities, and upcoming scholarships.
Upward Scholars Announcements
Updated COVID-19 Student Survey
Please complete this updated COVID-19 student survey to let us know how you are doing, what you may be struggling with, and how we may be able to help. All students who fill it out no later than Sunday, May 16th, will be entered into a raffle to win a $75 gift card. There will be multiple winners!
Spiritual and Emotional Counseling with Reverend Gerardo García Palacios
Upward Scholars is proud to offer all students and their families free individual or group spiritual and emotional counseling with Rev. Gerardo García Palacios (right). The pandemic has affected all of us in different ways and we want to give you the chance to express your struggles and be heard in a safe, confidential, and virtual environment. People of all beliefs are welcome and Rev. Gerardo is English-Spanish bilingual.
To schedule a free session with Rev. Gerardo, you can email him at pastorgarcia1679@outlook.com or call/text him at (650) 387-9174. Be sure to tell him your full name and if a family member schedules a session, they should also give the name of the Upward Scholars student they were referred by. We hope you will connect with him!
External Scholarship Recipients
Students, if you have recently been awarded a scholarship through your college or another organization (e.g., Bay Area Gardeners Foundation Scholarship), please send a picture of yourself with your printed award email so we can celebrate your amazing achievements. Send your scholarship pictures to Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org or text them to (650) 254-6274. We can't wait to see them!
Upward Scholars JobUp Referral Program
Upward Scholars' JobUp Referral Program is live. Through this program, we hope to match talented Upward Scholars students in need of employment with Upward Scholars community members requesting students' services.
You can now find the JobUp Skills Form to sign up for the program on the student page of the Upward Scholars website.
Virtual Conversation Club
The Upward Scholars Conversation Club is an opportunity for you as students to build confidence in your English conversation skills via a safe, friendly, and welcoming environment.
Save the date for our next virtual Conversation Club on:
June 25, 2021
6:30 to 7:45 pm
RSVP forms coming in the June newsletter.
External Announcements/COVID-19 Resources
WANDA: A Training and Matched Savings Program for Single Moms
The Women's Achievement Network and Development Alliance (WANDA) equips low-income single moms with the skills, knowledge, and assets to build greater economic self-sufficiency and brighter futures for themselves and their families.
WANDA is accepting applications for their next program cycle now through June 7. The program begins on September 11 and consists of one year of classes on financial literacy, personal development, and career development; a generous matched savings program with a 2:1 match on savings up to $2000; a supportive cohort of success-seeking peers; and extra opportunities to learn and grow through a network of mentors, instructors, and partner organizations.
To learn more about WANDA, read the eligibility requirements, and complete the application, click here.
North Fair Oaks & Redwood City Spring 2021 Community Needs Survey
If you live in Redwood City or North Fair Oaks, please complete this survey with information about your basic needs during this difficult time. Your responses will inform decisions about services in both of these communities so please make your voices heard! Only one person in your household can complete the survey, so share it with your neighbors as well. To complete the survey in English, click here, or to complete it in Spanish, click here.
Fresh Approach's VeggieRx Program
VeggieRx is a free 16-week program offered by Fresh Approach to help families learn about nutrition and healthy food choices. There will be 8 classes, one every two weeks, taught over Zoom, and two in-person meetings to measure participants' BMI and weight (one at the beginning and one at the end). In addition to learning basic nutrition concepts and learning new healthy recipes, participants will also earn $7 coupons per household member each week they attend class to spend at Fresh Approach's Farmer's Market.
The program starts on June 17th and takes place every other Thursday from 5:30–7 pm. Spanish speakers can register here. English speakers can register by emailing veggierx@freshapproach.org.
Employment Opportunities
Sequoia District Adult School (SAS) Job Board
SAS now has their very own job board to help students like you find jobs. There are a variety of positions in various industries. Visit their website to learn more.
If you hear of any employment opportunities, please contact Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org and she will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Upcoming Scholarships
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 Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org to be paired with a volunteer who can work with you one-on-one.
Application Deadline: May 21, 2021 @ 5 pm
Some qualifications: Single, female parents who are Head of Household; enrolled in a community college or transferring to a 4-year university; 2.5 GPA or higher
Application Deadline: May 22, 2021
Some qualifications: open to all currently enrolled in college or university
Great Minds in STEM Scholarship
Application Deadline: May 30, 2021
Some qualifications: majoring in a STEM-related field; 3.0 GPA or higher; must be of Hispanic descent and/or must demonstrate significant leadership or service within the underserved community; full-time student
Roshan Rahbari Scholarship Fund
Application Deadline: June 4, 2021 @ 5 pm
Some qualifications: transferring to a 4-year university in Fall; 3.0 GPA or higher
If you know of any other scholarship opportunities with deadlines in the next few weeks or months, please email Jessica at jessica@upwardscholars.org, and she will share them with all Upward Scholars students.
Thank you for reading through this newsletter. I hope you found it helpful. If you have any further questions or want help with anything you read here, please reach out to me at jessica@upwardscholars.org.
Onward and upward,
Jessica