While we often hear of the violence and poverty that ravages much of the global south, including Latin America, it can be difficult to imagine what that might be like. Magdalena doesn't have to imagine — she lived through it.
One fateful day in 2011, Magdalena — then 21 years old and living in El Salvador — received a haunting phone call.
Read MoreAt seven years old, Mario’s life changed. On a trip back to Guatemala from the United States, his aunt — a student at Cañada College at the time — gave Mario a backpack. It was “just a backpack… but when I read the words ‘Cañada College’ on it, I imagined myself there.”
In 2009, at the age of twenty-four, Mario immigrated to the U.S. and enrolled at San Mateo Adult School to learn English.
Read MoreWith Kamala Harris making history as the first female U.S. Vice President, Upward Scholars has a related milestone to share: Our first female alum to attain a bachelor's degree, Katherine, is also the first Upward Scholars alum to graduate from UC Berkeley.
Read MoreClaudia posted the above quote on her social media, attaching this picture. From the start of the pandemic, she realized room was limited in her one-bedroom home for her two children, ages 9 and 13, and her to continue learning at a distance. Needing to be resourceful and creative, Claudia found an unexpected use for a common household item.
Read MoreHabla Más, which means “speak more” in Spanish, provides non-Spanish speaking adults, youth, and children the opportunity to study Spanish with an Upward Scholars student who has been trained as a paid Spanish coach in a video model in which students meet with their Habla Más coach remotely.
Read MoreFriends and family from six countries gathered virtually to celebrate twenty-six Upward Scholars students who graduated from Cañada and Skyline Colleges. A record number of students received Associate degrees.
Watch the Graduation Ceremony now
Read MoreYesterday over 70 supporters and students attended Upward Scholars first-ever "Virtual Coffee Chat". Thank you to all who joined - it was truly an inspiring event! If you missed it, or want to share, click below to watch.
Read MoreDear Friends,
Many of you have reached out to ask how our students are doing during these unprecedented times. Like many nonprofits, we continue to focus on our mission, while pivoting to meet our students’ most pressing needs.
Watch the ED’s COVID-19 Update
Read MoreWhen Natalia received a laptop from Upward Scholars, her nine-year old daughter Camila was incredulous. “Mommy, why did you get a laptop?” she wanted to know. “It’s because I’m working hard in my school,” Natalia said. “So if I work hard and get a laptop, maybe you can too.”
Read MoreMany immigrant parents aspire to have bilingual children. But for Delmy, an Upward Scholars student from El Salvador, that will never be an option. As a toddler, Delmy’s son Adan was diagnosed with a severe language delay. As a result, he has been able to process only one language.
Read MoreWith your help, our students embark on life-changing educational opportunities that empower them to live up to their full potential.
It’s been an incredible year of growth, and we have so much to be thankful for at Upward Scholars.
Read MoreLike many Upward Scholars students, Obed came to the United States with limited formal education — six years to be exact. But Obed was determined not to let lack of formal schooling stand in his way.
Read MoreWhen Upward Scholars alumnus Amado came to the US from Mexico in 2011, he started at zero. “I couldn’t communicate in English. I didn’t have a job. I didn’t have any experience in this country,” Amado says.
Read MoreWhen Isela came to the U.S. from Mexico seven years ago, she had no intention of continuing to study accounting, the career she’d chosen in her home country. “It seemed impossible,” Isela recalls. “I didn’t know English, so how could I be an accountant?”
Read MoreUpward Scholars student Doris was in a rut. Her job as a caregiver was taxing both physically and mentally, her schedule was constantly changing, and the pay was low.
Read MoreIt’s another record: 8 Upward Scholars received AA/AS degrees this spring, up from two students in 2018! Fields of study include Early Childhood Education, Economics, Human Services, Social Science, Paralegal Studies…
Read MoreIt’s a record: 15 Upward Scholars received scholarships from the San Mateo Community College Foundation this year, up from seven students in 2018!
Read MoreCongratulations to Rick, the first Upward Scholars student to graduate from UC Davis.Rick embarked on his first entrepreneurial endeavor at age eight.
Read MoreUpward Scholars student Luis recently reduced his work schedule from 50 to 25 hours a week, so he’d have more time to study. While Luis’s finances are tight, he knows he’ll never go hungry while at college…
Read MoreStatistically speaking, Upward Scholars student Rosa faced an uncertain future.
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