Upward Scholars Honored as a Welcoming Star

Redwood City Together is thrilled to announce Upward Scholars as our latest Welcoming Star! Dr. Linda Prieto, Executive Director, received the Welcoming Stars Award on behalf of Upward Scholars at the March 7th, 2022 virtual City Council meeting, alongside Erika Pretell, Board Chair & President, and Marilyn Ezrin, Vice President.

Upward Scholars is a Latinx-led organization that helps adult immigrants achieve upward economic mobility by providing the holistic support needed to facilitate their transition from adult schools to community colleges. In addition to financial support with necessary materials such as laptops, textbooks, transportation, and food vouchers, Upward Scholars provides their students with tutoring, English conversation partners, various career development programs, emotional support, and much more. This comprehensive and holistic support has allowed over 1,100 students to continue their education, get higher paying jobs, and serve as role models and advocates for their children and their community at large. Their long-term impact helps more members of the community break the cycle of poverty and motivate the next generation to pursue higher education as a means for economic independence.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated many of the barriers facing Upward Scholars students on the road to economic mobility. In the face of widespread loss of employment, housing and food insecurity, and challenges to physical, mental, and emotional health, Upward Scholars continues to work with local partners to establish a welcoming environment where all Redwood City residents are considered, heard, seen, and provided opportunities to thrive. That is why we are honored to welcome them as our latest Welcoming Star.

To learn more about Upward Scholars, visit upwardscholars.org.

Community members can support Upward Scholars by volunteering as tutors, English Conversation Partners, or mentors; hiring their students as ¡Habla Más! Spanish-language coaches, professional nannies, or through JobUp; or making a donation. Contact Upward Scholars at info@upwardscholars.org for more information. And if you know someone in Redwood City who would benefit from being an Upward Scholars student, please contact Marta Dugarte at marta@upwardscholars.org.

Welcoming Redwood City is the welcoming initiative of Redwood City Together that builds empathy, understanding, and supportive action to bridge social divides such as race, class, and immigration status. To honor local pioneers and programs which build an inclusive community, Redwood City Together gives a quarterly Welcoming Stars award. Nominate a Welcoming Star here!