Los Medanos College hosted “Voice of Dreamers,” an informational event, drawing a packed crowd of students, staff and community advocates to the second floor of the Student Union on Sept. 9. The event focused on supporting undocumented, refugee, and DACA students while connecting them with resources and building community.
According to co-advisor and ESL counselor Eva Padilla, the Dreamers Resource Center organized the event, which exceeded expectations.
“It was good for students to ask for resources and not be alone,” Padilla said. “I loved it! We’re gonna need a bigger space for future meetings.”
Tables lined the room with information on free immigration legal services, health care coverage options, campus support programs and food and refreshments for participants. Students learned that the Dreamers Resource Center meets Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and that the Basic Needs Marketplace by the pond offers clothing, groceries and other resources.
Organizer Hector Combs said the event was meant to create a supportive environment for students from all backgrounds.
“It’s a safe space, a space to express who you are,” Combs said. “My favorite part was when you can see all the students interested in the information.”
Faculty also took part. ESL chair and professor Paula A. Gunder attended with her advanced class.
“I hope we continue to build a community so students can support one another,” Gunder said.
Community organizations were represented as well. Dulce Bernal of United Latino Voices in Contra Costa County explained health coverage options for students who lost DACA-related insurance after Aug. 31. She pointed to programs such as Medi-Cal for All, Payhealth, Covered California and Kaiser’s Community Coverage, which does not require identification or Social Security numbers.
Legal resources were highlighted by Erica Padilla of the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, a nonprofit that provides free consultations for students on family-based and humanitarian immigration cases.
“These are great resources for students, faculty and staff,” Padilla said. She noted that IIBA has offices across the Bay Area and works with Contra Costa and Diablo Valley colleges in addition to LMC.
Overall, the event showcased the campus’s commitment to equity and inclusion. By filling the room and sparking conversations, students and staff alike showed their desire for stronger connections and more accessible resources.
