Fullerton College is increasing support services for those impacted by ICE raids through its Grads2Be Program. This comes after news of several ICE raids happening in the country, leading to mass deportation and risks to the safety of even its students.
Originally launched in 2015-16, the Grads2Be Program was created to support undocumented students through challenges due to their immigration status.
“Early efforts focused on academic advising, scholarship book cards, emergency funding, and hosting the college’s first AB540 conference in spring 2016, supported by student equity funding,” said Julio Reyes Cabezas, Student Services Coordinator for the Grads2Be Program, and AB1645 Designated Dream Resource Liaison.
The program expanded in 2019 through a Catalyst Fund grant from Immigrants Rising. This supported undocumented students from Fullerton College, Cypress College, and NOCE. In 2022, the Student Development and Engagement Department was formed, which now houses the Cadena Cultural Center, Grads2Be Program, LGBTQIA2S+ Resource Program, and Umoja Community Program.
Protocols have also expanded with the recent ICE raids. Several departments and programs have been taught processes to make sure students are supported as they transition to Fullerton College. Grads2BE also does case management through their scholars program, by reaching out to their canvas, email, text, and phone calls. “The support for undocumented students is a campus-wide shared responsibility,” said Cabezas.
The increased funding has since led to the program providing several services. These include
academic counseling, wellness appointments and legal appointments via the Central American Resource Center.
Students are able to book an appointment with a G2B Counselor to receive academic support with course planning, major and career exploration, degree completion, etc. This can be done by using their self-booking Academic Counseling Appointment Form on the Fullerton College website, along with calling (714) 992-7105.
Students are also able to book wellness appointments with G2B’s mental health therapists to receive help with stress management, coping strategies, time management, etc. Students can book an appointment by filling out the Wellness Appointment Form, as well as calling (714) 992-7093 to request a meeting with Fullerton College’s Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Janet Polanco. General Advising Appointments are also possible to receive support from FC’s application form, financial aid, CA Dream Act, etc. Students would have to call (714) 992-7105 once again, or self-book through the General Advising Appointment form.
The program has also collaborated with CARECEN in booking legal appointments with an attorney. They also provide immigration workshops throughout the academic year. Lastly, students are also able to request a G2B program presentation for their classroom or event. If needed, they can request UndocuAlly Training by submitting a request form.
By following @carecen_la_colleges on Instagram, students are able to stay updated with immigration news.
Grads2Be has significantly increased its participation since the start of the school year, with about 160 students included in this program compared to the previous 40 students.
“Our goals are to continue to grow our Scholars Program, continue to offer students with non-employment based opportunities where they get compensated, training the campus community on how they can best support our immigration-impacted students, offer courses that support our student population, have more full time staff within our program for continued services and create more engagement amongst our students through events and initiatives that address their needs,” said Cabezas.
For more information, students can go to the Fullerton College website for news and updates about the Grads2Be program.
