LEARN ABOUT THE U.C.R.C. PROGRAM

The UCRC opened in 2018 of March to help Undocumented students and other Immigrant students to navigate through college. The Center is committed to helping students find the resources they need to meet their academic and career goals. Community is important to us so we want everyone to feel welcome here at the UCRC.

The Center focuses on Academic Counseling, Mental Health advocacy and Legal Services Referrals. As well as resources for students like partnering with organizations such as:

Meet The UCRC Team 

 

Carolina Martinez

Carolina Martinez is one of the founders of the Undocumented Community Resource Center (U.C.R.Center) Carolina Martinez was born and raised in Mazatlán, Mexico. Ms. Martinez moved to the United States 14 years ago with the dream of securing a better future for herself and her family. Supporting her family economically and emotionally is what motivates her to get up every day, while studying hard and working for her Undocumented Community. Ms. Martinez was granted five years ago with a U-visa and currently has her Permanent Resident (Green Card). Ms. Martinez thinks that every person has the right to the same opportunities. She expresses her Mexican roots through Mexican folk dancing and is proud to say that dance is her most powerful form of expression.

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Angelica Peñ

Angelica was born and raised in the East Bay and is a proud transfer student from Ohlone College. She transferred to UCLA where she earned a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Chicana/o Studies and was the first in her family to receive a college degree. She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and has over three years of experience working with diverse populations, including undocumented, low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, English language learners, first-generation, and historically underrepresented college students of all ages and abilities. Her passion for counseling stems from her personal journey as a first-gen. She is committed to providing compassionate, carino, open door, holistic care as an advisor.

Pronouns: She/Her/ELLA

B.A. in Sociology & Chicana/O Studies

M.S. College & Career Counseling -San Francisco State University

Anthony Zelaya-Umanzor

Born in San Francisco to Salvadoran Immigrants who fled the civil war in the ’80s. He attended City College of San Francisco. At CCSF, he discovered a new family, the Latino Service Network and City Dream, who took him under their wing and guided him, helping him find his passion and transfer, obtaining his B.A in Psychology and later his Masters in Guidance and Counseling. He has worked as a program coordinator at City College of San

Pronouns: He/Him/El

B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern California & M.A in Counseling and Guidance from San Jose State University

Bryan Marroquin

My name is Bryan Marroquin. I’m currently majoring in Arts and Animation and will be transferring in 2024. I was born in Guatemala and immigrated to Berkeley CA .I’m volunteering at U.C.R.C. Because it lets me support students who have been through similar struggles, I hope to provide support and resources for those in need .

U.C.R.C.  Communications Design

Pronouns: He/Him

Berkeley City College Transfer Student

AA-T Arts & Animation

Sonja Garcia

My name is Sonja Garcia and I was born and raised in Berkeley, Ca. I am a first-generation college student at Berkeley City College and am majoring in psychology. Working at the UCRC provides me with the opportunity to support and provide resources to students who seek and need it.

U.C.R.C. Logistics Advisor

Pronouns: She/Her

Berkeley City College Transfer Student

AA-T Psychology

Grecia Barajas

My name is Grecia Barajas, I speak Spanish and English. I was born and raised in Mexico but immigrated to Berkeley Ca in 2016. I’m currently majoring in Real estate but I’m also interested in contractors. Working at UCRC inspires me to help other people to continue their education goals by bringing forth information and resources that they may need.

U.C.R.C Dream Act Specialist  

Pronouns: She/Her

Berkeley City College Student

AA-Real Estate

Britani Barajas 

My name is Britani Barajas. I’m 21 years old and was born and raised in Mexico, but I emigrated to Berkeley CA in 2016. My current major is Real Estate but I’m interested in businesses too. Working at the UCRC program helps me to help others that are in the same place as me. I also love to be very social and inform other people about the resources that the program offers. 

U.C.R.C Volunteer 

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Berkeley City College Student

AA-Real Estate

Alvaro Ruiz Figueroa

My name is Alvaro Ruiz Figueroa. Born and raised in Uruapan-Michoacan, Mexico I ended up immigrating when I was 17 years old seeking for higher education as I’m available to help my family and others. My major is still undecided. The UCRC gives me the opportunity to support other students as I learn from them and from the amazing staff this one has.

U.C.R.C Outreach Advisor

Pronouns: he/him

Berkeley City College Student

Juliana Baptista

I am Juliana Baptista, this is my first year at BCC and my major is General Business. I am from Brazil and immigrated to California 5 years ago to learn English. Working in UCRC program inspired me to learn about my rights, and help the students by showing that is possible to follow their academic dreams giving them information about our resources and programs that they can engage in.  

Maria Citlaly Ibarra

My name is Maria Citlaly. I was born in Mexico and I immigrated to California when I was two years old. I took a break from school after I graduated high school and this is my second semester at BCC. I am a first-generation college student and working at the UCRC inspires me to inform others about the resources that are provided at BCC, in addition to helping build a community where we all feel safe and included.

Statistics Tutor

Pronouns: she/her

Berkeley City College transfer student

AAT-Psychology

Videos About us:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click Here For the 2024 Cohort Application!

The Undocumented Community Resource Center (UCRC) is excited to open our application to welcome students to the UCRC.  The UCRC is a learning community where we support undocumented students throughout their educational journey; we provide academic counseling and support with forms such as AB540, and other benefits. We will be holding orientations for Fall 2024 where you can start your U.C.R.C academic journey.

New UCRC Student Cohort

Program Requirements:

1) Attend one Orientation or intake counseling appointment

2) Two check-in appointments with the U.C.R.C every semester

2) Must be enrolled in 6 or more units

3) Must have taken less than 76 units/ Have no more then 6 semesters in total 

4) Your major just be at Berkeley City College

What you will receive 

You will have access to academic counseling and assistance, immigration resources, scholarships, and financial aid resources

Continuing UCRC Student Cohort will receive ongoing the benefits listed above.

If you have questions you can Email us at

ucrc.berkeley@gmail.com 

In Solidarity with the Undocumented Community

Get to know how to be in Solidarity with the Undocumented Community 

Understand the different ways of becoming a better Ally to help people of the Undocumented Community

Why Undocu-Solidarity?

Solidarity is an action based approach to supporting the Undocumented Community. It is about being more than an ally, being in solidarity with the Undocumented Community is showing commitment through your actions.

Sometimes being an Ally means using your privilege to help those who are risking themselves, their homes and families. Using your privilege even as a documented immigrant can be a major support to Undocumented people that fight for their rights while risking their lives. 

Getting to know other other communities within the Undocumented community is a great way to become a better Ally. This includes people who are LGBTQ+, POC, different religions and ethnic backgrounds, it is important to recognize all people because we all come from everywhere. 

Learn about the hardships 

Undocumented people are the economic backbone of the United States. Many Undocumented people work in the Food industry from Restaurants to Farm Fields everyday. In the U.S. Immigrant people make up the 73% of agriculture workers. These workers are essential and help get food on our table. Undocumented people are Frontline workers and most of the time their efforts go unrecognized. 

This is important to recognize because Undocumented students are all types of workers and usually take on the jobs that no one else wants to do. So we stand in Solidarity to Undocumented people by actively recognizing and supporting them in any way we can. One of them being is to recognize the different ways to call out and correct respectfully by using appropriate ways to refer to an Undocumented person.

What are other correct ways to approach an undocumented person?

• Dehumanizing Terms:
  • Illegal
  • Illegal Immigrant
  • Alien
  • Illegal Alien
• Alternative “Humanizing” terms:
  • Undocumented
  • Undocumented Immigrant
  • “DACA”mented
  • Refugee

What to do when a student discloses to you about their immigration status

Comfort the student:

“Thank you for sharing with me” “ I am here to support you” “What can I do to help you? 

Don’t assume you know how the student is feeling or managing their experience. 

• Refer them to the UCRC (VIRTUAL LOCATION)

• Encourage them to complete the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Application & the AB540  Affidavit then submit them to the Admissions and Records office (UCRC can assist students)

• Advise them to complete the CA Dream Act application (UCRC can assist students)

• If a student does not qualify for AB 540? Refer to UCRC

• Dual Enrollment Option at Berkeley Adult School

Actions instructors can take to be in solidarity

• Ensure students their privacy is protected by the college and will not be shared with ICE or Homeland Security
• Include U.C.R.C. contact info and statement of support in the course syllabus
• If you are aware of a students status or have reason to believe they are undocumented dont call them out. Make the student feel welcome and check in with them off line.  
• Announce U.C.R.C. events: offer extra credit to students to attend.  
• If you notice a student is struggling, ask how you can help: 
• Example: “Hey, I noticed your grades have been dropping.. What can I do to support you with your learning? How can I best support you?” 
• Refer them to the U.C.R.C.

Actions classified staff can take to be in solidarity

• Understand that many of these students are struggling with sharing and disclosing information because they are fearful
• Share accurate information and make the process easy to understand
• Do not assume that someone is not Undocumented because they are not Latina, Latinx, or Latino.
• Refer, refer, refer to the UCRC
• Or to the BCC Adult Education Program Manager, Midhun Joseph

Actions Administration can take to be in solidarity.  

• Collaborate with the U.C.R.C. to create emergency funds
• Continue to institutionalize and support the U.C.R.Center and include the program in institutional planning documents
• Make Undocu student success outcomes an institutional metric
• Build cross institutional partnership 

Don’t know where to refer a student? Below are some resources↴

Email bcc-ucrc@peralta.edu or ucrc.berkeley@gmail.com  to share a student’s situation

Financial, Educational, Legal, and Mental Health Resources at↴

• Immigrants Rising https://immigrantsrising.org/
• UndocuBlack Network https://undocublack.org/
• Informed Immigrant https://www.informedimmigrant.com/#
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center https://www.ilrc.org/

 

 

Undocumented Community Resource Center (UCRC) family at Berkeley City College. At the UCRC, we are committed to providing undocumented students with leadership development, resources, and a safe environment where they can embrace their chosen identities and access as many resources available on and off campus to pursue their academic, personal, and career goals. We understand the importance of having a network of support when pursuing our dreams and that is the main purpose of this center – to provide a safe space where students get the resources and empowerment needed to achieve their dreams. The center was founded by and for students.

Donations help sustain our organization and benefit the community which we serve. We are counting on your support.

Click Here To Donate!

The Undocumented Community Resource Center, located on the first floor of the Berkeley City College campus in the LRC, Berkeley city college is looking to support their community of undocumented students during the Covid-19 crisis. We clearly understand that many students and their families might be experiencing loss of jobs and income, food insecurity, and the need for help covering extra expenses. Given the circumstances, we would like to inform you that we will be giving away emergency grants to show our support and appreciation for the undocumented community at Berkeley City College.

If you would like to donate to the Undocumented Student (UCRC) Fund, please go to the Peralta Colleges Foundation donation page.  This fund will be distributed to undocumented students at Berkeley City College. 

Or

Scan the QR code!

 

Thank you for your support ❤