Dreamers and their allies celebrate the opening of Dreamer’s resource center
The first in her family to attend college, Sandra Haro arrived at San José City College in 2008 directly from high school. She was determined to make her parents proud, and she wanted to do something big.
As an undocumented student, however, she struggled to figure out how to succeed in college. She asked around to see if there were any on-campus resources for AB540 students. The answer was no. The answer motivated her to set out on a mission with her academic counselor and mentor, Fabio Gonzales, to establish on-campus services for undocumented students.
That lack of resources compelled her to come out of the shadows and speak up for all undocumented students. “We have that grit that we get from our parents and our culture,” she said. “Use that to your advantage, no matter how many people tell you ‘you can’t do it.'”
Soon, Advocacy Leadership for Immigrant Access Support Services (ALMASS) was born, and over the years, it has provided guidance, support, and resources to more than 2,000 undocumented students at SJCC. But it lacked a home.
A dream realized
That is until Sept. 21, 2023, when Haro and other SJCC Dreamer alums returned to campus to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of the Dreamer’s Resource Center, where undocumented students can now find, in one place, campus services, resources, and most of all, support and understanding in a community of fellow Dreamers.
“We have that grit that we get from our parents and our culture. Use that to your advantage, no matter how many people tell you you can’t do it.”
Sandra Haro
SJCC Graduate & Dreamer
During the ceremony in the new Center, Dreamers and their allies stood shoulder to shoulder, sharing tears and stories of struggle and feeling the moment’s importance. After all, they had fought together over many years to make sure undocumented students were seen, heard, and respected.
The need for the Dreamer’s Resource Center was not lost on William Garcia, Student Affairs vice president, and Rowena Tomaneng, SJCC president, who made it a priority.
“More than anything, it’s about having a place that students can call home,” Gonzales said. “The center is an accomplishment we should all be proud of.”
ALMAAS has grown over the years. Olga Morales-Anaya joined the EOPS-ALMASS team a few years ago as the Dreamer Resource Center Counselor/Coordinator. She also worked closely with the ALMASS student club to establish the first Undocu Conference at San José City College, led and organized by students.
Neydi Espino joined the EOPS-ALMASS team in July 2023 as the program office assistant. Neydi, a former ALMASS Club student leader, returned to her academic roots to help and provide services to the SJCC undocu population.
Steadfast support
For undocumented students, each court ruling on the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program creates more uncertainty. Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court or Congress will decide the fate of DACA.
Regardless of the political climate, SJCC and San José Evergreen Community College District remain steadfast in supporting undocumented students. “What I really love about our ALMAAS program is that it also does leadership development,” said Tomaneng. “We are providing our Dreamers the skills, knowledge, and the tools to be agents of change in this ongoing struggle to find pathways to citizenship.”
Interim SJECCD Chancellor Beatriz Chaidez and Board Vice-President Maria Fuentes also spoke emotionally about the need to support Dreamers.
For Haro and thousands of other Dreamers, it’s the kind of support that helped her succeed. She graduated from the SJCC Cosmetology program and transferred to San José State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in finance.
Though she is uncertain about the future of DACA, she is sure about one thing. “They can never take your education away,” she told the gathered supporters. She also achieved her goals planned 16 years ago, making her parents proud, and doing something big.
