Episode 271: College Success & Resources for Undocumented Students with Sarahi Espinoza, founder of DREAMer's Roadmap

“If I can change the life of one person, if I can help one Sarahi out there and let them know they can go to college after high school, that’s success to me.”

- Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca

Is someone in your family getting ready to apply to college? Maybe your teenager is looking at school’s out of state or your young cousin is starting to think about their future career and what schools would benefit their education? This week we interview Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca, founder of DREAMer’s Roadmap. This free mobile app provides resources and helps undocumented students find scholarship opportunities for college. Sarahi talks to us about her own journey as an undocumented student, the inspiration behind creating the app and what high school & college students can do to make their college tuition life a little easier. Furthering your education can be a little confusing, but luckily Sarahi has created a helpful resource for any student looking for new opportunities!

More about Sarahi: Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca is the Founder and CEO of DREAMers Roadmap, a mobile app platform that helps undocumented students navigate the necessary resources to access higher education. This is Sarahi’s project for the past 4 years within a longer trajectory of activism within and for the undocumented community, which has placed her in the spotlight of continued conversations centered on national immigration policy.

Sarahi was a Champion of Change at the White House in 2014, has received 4 House of Representatives Awards, and was named in Forbes 30 under 30 in 2016. A former undocumented student who once had to drop out of school to support her family, Sarahi’s personal experience informs her unwavering vision: to help hundreds of thousands of students eliminate the barriers to success and achieve their full potential. 

More recently Sarahi has directed two major campaigns serving minorities. #FirstOfTheMonth where she and two other local orgs Cosme together and raised 2.2 million dollars to help the most vulnerable of their neighbor who were impacted by covid and got no financial support. The other #Supplies4FarmWorkers a grassroots community-led campaign organized by 100% volunteers where we go to farmworker camps and fields to distribute backpacks, school supplies, PPE, and essentials. Serving families affected by the California fires and Covid19.

Tips for College Success from Sarahi

• Be proactive!

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

• Reach out to the Admission’s Office and EOPS offices.

• Be persistent. Call, email and show up in person if possible.

• If parents can’t make these calls due to language barriers, students need to make these call.

• Check out FastWeb.com for random scholarships. Anything helps!

Links

Follow @dreamersroadmap on Instagram and Facebook.

Download the DREAMer’s Roadmap app from the Apple Store or Google Play for more information, scholarship opportunities, resources and events local to you and around the country.

Episode 223: Fighting for Our Immigrant Families & DACAmented Youth with Angelica Salas from CHIRLA

This week, we speak with Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). Since becoming CHIRLA's director in 1999, Salas has helped win in-state tuition and access to financial aid for undocumented immigrant students, and most recently helped win drivers licenses for the undocumented community in California. Salas is also a leading national spokesperson and organizer on federal immigration policy. She is a leader in national coalitions of organizations which have successfully mobilized millions of immigrants to demand comprehensive immigration reform with a path to citizenship, family reunification, and protection of civil and labor rights.

Angelica talks to us about how she got her start with the organization after her own family’s experience with deportation and she’s letting us know how we can help other immigrant families. Angelica also talks about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the resources the organization offers. Get ready to be moved by Angelica's strength - you'll be inspired to make a difference!

Before the episode, we’re reflecting on this weekend’s tragedy where 9 lives were lost in a helicopter accident. Being born & raised in Los Angeles, we were devastated to learn that Kobe Bryant, who embodies everything that is LA, and his daughter Gianna, as well as other parents and children, lost their lives. It’s a reminder to live as Kobe did - love and help others as we are supposed to, just like God intended. Simple as that.

Our Conversation with Angelica Salas

How did you get started in CHIRLA?

What was it about your upbringing that made you want to get involved?

What is the DACA policy? Who does it protect and who doesn’t it protect?

How can we help?

1. Be vigilant about the DACA decision. If it ends, we need to rally and push for a permanent solution from Congress.

2. Register to vote & participate in elections.

3. Become a member of CHIRLA or donate to the DACA trust fund.

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