The Dreamers Success Center hosted its Dream Conference on Saturday, Feb. 25.
The overall purpose is to reach out to the community, help residents realize they’re not alone in their educational prowess, and have many people ready to support and guide them through their goals.
Tina Leal, Dreamers Success Center Resource Specialist, said her satisfaction with the event’s success comes from seeing student engagement and learning.
“Information is key. There was a young lady who didn’t know Delta College had so many resources for the students. That’s why we do conferences like this. So we can show not only what the Dreamers Success has but what the campus Delta College has not only for the students but the community,” Leal said.
The Dream Conference is an annual event where students, families, and community members are invited to learn about the resources available to them at Delta.
The objective was to educate attendees by hosting workshops and speakers on various programs as well as a resource fair. The in-person event was held on campus, in Danner Hall and the West Forum.
In total, 155 students attended the event. The Danner Hall fair hosted 40 resource organizations and departments.
Trinidad Araya, a Delta College Chemistry Lab Technician, also noted the positive impact the conference would have on students.
“The other thing is support. That you find a group that is going to support you to go to these because sometimes they feel like nobody is having this issue nobody on this campus and that you’re alone but you’re not alone. You’re not,” Araya said.
Six workshops and presentations were hosted in the West Forum.
Ana Navarette, Program Director for the UndocuSpartan Student Resource Center at San Jose State University, presented the first workshop by expressing how individuals should never feel marginalized for their racial/ethnic identity.
She also said her opinions on DACA as we should think beyond it for an improved program.
The second workshop was presented by Samantha Powell, Heather Maloy, and Laura Magallanes.
Powell gave an overview of the AB540/SB68 and how students can qualify with the steps they must perform to be eligible and submit the application.
Maloy and Magallanes gave an overview of DARTE/SB544 with information regarding Delta Sierra Adult Education Alliance, Adult School Programs & Services, Transition Services, and undocumented services.
Maloy and Magallanes gave information regarding the DARTE program with the learning community services and course offerings.
Alejandro Gomez and Leslie Sanchez Valenzuela presented the following workshop as they relayed information regarding Financial Aid and the California Dream Act.
Delta College Business Adjunct Associate Professor Gene Acevedo also gave a presentation on entrepreneurship.
Other workshops included one about self-identity and the challenging times of Latino/Chicano people and another on legal rights, specifically for the undocumented and temporary residents.
Second-year student Xavier Saldivar Lopez, Outreach and Relations Student Programs Assistant, said he was fulfilled attending the event.
“I feel like the presentations were truly the heart of the event. I had a positive experience and overall I feel satisfied the conference served its purpose,” he said.
Leal also expressed what she hopes the success of the event conveys to the campus.
“We hope that the board of trustees and the directors that make the decisions on campus sees that these events have weight because it services not only our students but our student body, our employees, and our faculty, and the community as a whole. There is outcome in putting on this event and having this hard work. Come out and look at us, watch us. We’re here,” Leal said.