Page 21 - Sonoma County Gazette 3-19

SRJC Dream Center
expands to offer free legal advice to undocumented students
The Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) Dream Center, on the Santa Rosa campus, has expanded and in February will begin an ongoing partnership with Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy and Services (VIDAS), an organization that provides free legal advice and services to undocumented students. This partnership will likely emerge as a cornerstone in best practices for Community College Dream Centers, and SRJC is proud to be a leader throughout the country in this regard.
Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks needs HUNDREDS for Seasonal Jobs
We provide a safe, welcoming environment for undocumented students to be supported through the unique challenges they face in higher education. Specialized programming will also be organized for undocumented students, such as the annual Undocumented Student Week of Action and other activities in collaboration with colleagues throughout the district.
The City of Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Department is hiring over 300 seasonal employees for spring and summer jobs. Positions are available in several areas of the department including aquatics, sports, neighborhood services, customer service, park maintenance, Howarth Park concessions and summer camps.
The Dream Center supports SRJC’s diversity by providing:
• Equal access for all students
• Multi-ethnic global perspectives and cultural competencies
• Employees who reflect the communities we serve
• Honesty and integrity in an environment of collegiality and mutual
Temporary seasonal employees help run the city’s robust operation of swim lessons and public swim hours, summer day camps, youth and adult recreation programs, and outdoor park activities and amusements. The positions are suited for those interested in working with the public and looking
respect
Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy and Services (VIDAS) VIDAS, a nonprofit immigration law office, was founded in 2014 by Legal
Director, Richard Coshnear. The mission of VIDAS is to offer free or low cost, quality legal services to undocumented immigrants in Sonoma County. VIDAS was recently recognized and accredited by the Office of Legal Access
an immigration attorney with over 20 years of experience and Barbara Ibarra, paralegal, at the Santa Rosa Junior College Dream Center. McSorley and Ibarra will be available to assist the undocumented students with legal service.
Cost of the program is $95 and the deadline to apply is April 5th. The City of Santa Rosa Recreation & Parks Department is one of the largest employers of teens and young adults in Sonoma County. The department operates three community centers, two pools, a golf course, 70 parks, innovative youth services, numerous special destinations and hundreds of recreation classes.
INFO: Dream Center - santarosa.edu:
Alma J. Valverde C., Coordinator, avalverdecampos@santarosa.edu 707.527.4364, dream.santarosa.edu
Santa Rosa Junior College, Plover Hall #539, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa
Life guards, camp counselors, sports coaches, park aides: INFORMATION at SRCity.org/workexperience.
programs and selected as lead partner in the Sonoma County Secure Families Collaborative.
for short-term spring and summer employment opportunities.
Over the years, VIDAS has built a strong relationship of trust
with the undocumented students at the Santa Rosa Junior College. VIDAS is excited to join the Santa Rosa Junior College in this unique and vital partnership. VIDAS will house Maureen McSorley,
Job descriptions, requirements, and a downloadable application can be found at SRCity.org/RPjobs.
Applications for the Summer Teen Work Experience Program will also
be available beginning March 1st. The program offers teens, ages 13-17, the opportunity to learn valuable on-the-job skills. Teens can choose from various interests including working with children or animals, swimming, coaching and more.
3/19 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 21