Santa Rosa Junior College Dream Center
As an intern for the Graphics Services & Copy Center, my first project was to enhance an already existing design proposal for a sign promoting a new consulting center at Santa Rosa Junior College. The Dream Center was created to provide a safe and welcoming environment where undocumented students could visit to receive confidential assistance regrading their academic endeavors. For more information, click the following link.
Inspiration
As an undocumented immigrant, I never imagined that I'd make it to college, let alone graduate from a four-year university. Pursuing a higher education seemed out of reach due to my socioeconomic background and lack of citizenship status. Although I felt discouraged, my family’s love and hard work motivated me to carry on.
To my relief, a group of counselors and volunteers from Santa Rosa Jr. College (SRJC) organized various educational presentations and workshops that assisted high school students in my situation. With their help, I was able to apply for AB540 — a California Assembly Bill which allows qualified undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Additionally, they helped me apply for the California Dream Act which allowed me to receive financial aid.
With this support, I was able to enroll at SRJC as a full-time student. While attending community college, I was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status which refers to an Executive Order enacted by former President Obama that grants certain undocumented immigrants a type of temporary permission to remain in the United States. As a recipient of DACA, I was granted a work permit to be able to work legally. I could also apply for a limited social security card and driver’s licence. These measures gave me a taste of what being a citizen could be like; however, it is not amnesty. ‘Til this day, people across the country are striving to enact the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (D.R.E.A.M), a federal act that could grant qualified people like me citizenship.
Skipping forward to my last couple semesters, I applied to my first internship at Graphic Services as a graphic designer. The first project I was assigned was to create a logo for a newly established Dream Center. I completed the task at hand but also pitched a rebranded design. They loved my proposal and decided to make it their official logo! Although I couldn’t stick around volunteer at the Dream Center, I felt honored being able to contribute back to a
meaningful cause that had helped me succeed.
To my relief, a group of counselors and volunteers from Santa Rosa Jr. College (SRJC) organized various educational presentations and workshops that assisted high school students in my situation. With their help, I was able to apply for AB540 — a California Assembly Bill which allows qualified undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities. Additionally, they helped me apply for the California Dream Act which allowed me to receive financial aid.
With this support, I was able to enroll at SRJC as a full-time student. While attending community college, I was granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status which refers to an Executive Order enacted by former President Obama that grants certain undocumented immigrants a type of temporary permission to remain in the United States. As a recipient of DACA, I was granted a work permit to be able to work legally. I could also apply for a limited social security card and driver’s licence. These measures gave me a taste of what being a citizen could be like; however, it is not amnesty. ‘Til this day, people across the country are striving to enact the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (D.R.E.A.M), a federal act that could grant qualified people like me citizenship.
Skipping forward to my last couple semesters, I applied to my first internship at Graphic Services as a graphic designer. The first project I was assigned was to create a logo for a newly established Dream Center. I completed the task at hand but also pitched a rebranded design. They loved my proposal and decided to make it their official logo! Although I couldn’t stick around volunteer at the Dream Center, I felt honored being able to contribute back to a
meaningful cause that had helped me succeed.
