By Roslin Ojeda
The Dream Resource Center will be hosting an ice cream social in an effort to continue reaching out to undocumented students.
The event will take place May 10 from noon to 1:30 in E3-470. Brian Henderson, who is helping coordinate the event, said the ice cream social is a celebration of all they have accomplished so far as well as a place for students to drop by and talk to allies on campus.
Henderson said he feels it is important to built those relationships on campus.
“There are many faculty and staff members on campus who are allies to our undocumented students. We want them to get to know who those people are, so if they ever have a question, or want to talk to somebody, they can know who they can go to,” said Henderson. “It’s really about connection. When students realize they are not alone, I think it can be very powerful.” Previous workshops have been held to help empower students and have been successful in doing said Henderson.
The ice cream social will be the first one of its kind being held. Jessica De Jesus, a student worker at the resource center said the workshops have really helped her find the help available that not every undocumented student may be aware of.
De Jesus says that she had gone to a workshop last year and felt good talking to other people she could relate to and feel safe. She said that she credits the center, as well as Reyna Hernandez, for helping her find various financial aid resources that she did not know she could apply to.
Before that, she paid for all her classes out of pocket, and due to costs, was restricted to only being a part time student.
De Jesus now devotes her time at the center to helping organize events and informing other students of the financial and emotional support they can receive.
“Once you built a relationship with people, they’re going to be comfortable in saying, ‘Hey this is what I’m going through.’ Once you begin to tell your story, you realize everybody has something in common, ” said De Jesus.
De Jesus hopes these events, like ice cream social, will help students realize there is a lot of help out there if only they are brave enough to speak up. S
he hopes all students continue to fight for a higher education in order to be able to return one day and give back to the community. Students who plan on attending are encouraged to RSVP.
The last day to do so is May 9. For more information call (323) 415-5483 or email elacdreamresourcecenter@gmail. com