Student Equity Center

Dream Resource Center

Empowering and Elevating the Voices of Undocumented Students and Students from Mixed Status Households

Dreamers welcome butterfly

Eighth Annual California Community Colleges' Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW)

October 14 - 18, 2024

Join the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the Community College League of California, and our statewide partners for a week of collaboration and supporting students, faculty and those involved in advocating with and for undocumented students.

Learn More

Mission

The Santa Monica College Dream Resource Center is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for undocumented students, and students from mixed-status households, to feel empowered to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

Our vision is to build scholars and leaders that empower others within the undocumented community and elevate their voices.

Together we will foster an inclusive and non-discriminatory campus community and strive to educate and develop awareness of the experiences of undocumented and immigrant communities by providing resources, services and tools for the SMC campus community.

A Welcome Message from Interim Dean of Special Programs Nick Mata

Programs and Services

Let Us Help You!

Here are some of the ways in which we can support you on your development and educational journey.

Explore All of Our Resources  

Requesting an appointment.

Immigration Legal Services Project 

Need help with your DACA renewal?

Legal services through CARECEN are FREE for SMC students, staff, and faculty and includes DACA renewals, general consultation, and more!  Mondays available for SMC students through this online system.

Schedule with CARECEN-LA College Legal Services

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Wellness Counseling

Mental Health Services via the DREAM Program.

Spring 2021 Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday, with Kimberly Rios-Lam, Psy.D​

Telehealth Therapy Options: Video or phone sessions offered

If this is your first time accessing counseling, please contact your academic counselor or the program specialist for a referral form.

Contact the Program Specialist

 

Financial Aid Scholarships

Financial Aid / Scholarships

There are more ways that you might not have known about to afford college.

Undocumented students and mixed status students are eligible! Check here for more info on qualifying, as well as how to apply to college. 

We can assist in applying for the California Dream Act/Financial Aid and scholarships.

 

Find out more about how to pay for college

 

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Get Started Here

Requesting an appointment.

First Time at the Dream Resource Center?
Tell Us What You Need

Get started with us by filling out this handy information form, so that we can match you with the right person on staff to help you.   

 

Complete the Welcome Form!

Requesting an appointment.

Book An Appointment

Request a phone or video appointment via:

Email: DREAM@smc.edu

Voice Message: 310-434-4892

OFFICE HOURS Spring 2021:  Monday - Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Requesting an appointment.

Virtual Drop in Office

Every Thursday at 11:00 a.m. (until June 10, 2021)

Want to ask questions about the program? Need to schedule an appointment with a Dream counselor or would simply like to check in? Join us in our zoom room!
The room is open for 30 minutes to an hour.  
One student is allowed in at a time.

Join the Virtual Office Zoom Room

Latest Workshops and Recordings

Save the date for some helpful events, as well as a selection of recordings and information from our prior events.

All News All Events

Undocuchats

UndocuChat Series 

Every Thursday, 3PM

Save the Date for SMCs Dream Program UndocuChat series hosted by our very own Dr. Rios-Lam and Victoria Santiago! This will take place every Thursday at 3PM. This is exclusively for current SMC Dream students. The RSVP invite will be sent via SMC email. If you want to learn more, please email Victoria. We look forward to sharing virtual space with you!

UndocuTransfer

UndocuTransfer Night

Join IDEAS at USC on April 22, 2021 at 7 PM to learn how to navigate the transfer process at USC as an undocumented student. We will be having a panel of transfer students who will share their experiences navigating the transfer process. A financial aid officer will be present to help answer any questions you may have, as well as a career center representative to discuss opportunities that USC offers such as internships, fellowships, scholarships, and legal services.
Please RSVP to receive our event program and zoom information.

To join the session, register using the following link: https://forms.gle/XBhtgaRmVFecvBRy7

 

Undocumented API community

Undocumented Asian and Pacific Islanders Ally Training

Tuesday, April 6, 2021 from 1 PM to 2 PM (PST), A.L.O.E. will be hosting an undocuAPI Ally training. You will Learn about Asian and Pacific Islander history in the U.S., Understand current policies, Hear student testimonies, and Discover how you can best support the community. You may register to attend here.

Follow Undocualoe  on Instagram!

Community

Get involved and find community here on campus!

IDEAS at SMC Student Club

Meetings every Tuesday at 4pm

A student-led club to network, socialize, and also promote the interests of undocumented and mixed status students.

UndocuAlly Program

Join a Training

Do you want to learn how to better support SMC's amazing undocumented students? The Undocumented Ally Program is a network of Santa Monica College faculty, staff, managers, and students that are committed to providing support, education, and understanding to our SMC undocumented students.

 

Additional Resources

Resources available include Workshops, Tutoring, Virtual college tours, Supplies, Access to basic needs resources
Just ask Dream staff for what you need and we'll let you know what's available. 

Spotlight of the Month: June 2021

Celebrating heroes in the undocumented community.

Lisbeth Mateo

Lizbeth Mateo

An attorney in Los Angeles—one who started a law practice, hired four employees, and took an oath to uphold the U.S. constitution. She also has no legal options to stay in the country. Lizbeth is undocumented. Since crossing the border at age 14, Lizbeth hasn’t let her immigration status hold her back. Frustrated by an unjust system, she’s drawing from her own experiences to fight for immigrant rights in the streets and in the courts. 


Lizbeth Mateo: Undocumented Lawyer

Politico Magazine's Profile on Lizbeth Mateo


Get Involved

Get involved to support the activities of the Dream Center.

Learning Library

Learn more about the challenges we face today.

 

Contact the Dream Resource Center

The Santa Monica College Dream Resource Center is committed to creating a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment for undocumented students, and students from mixed-status households, to feel empowered to achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

Contact Information:

Dream@smc.edu

310-434-4892

Follow us on Social Media!

Our Staff is Here to Help

Click here to Get to know the Dream Center Staff!

Text: Wherever you are in your educational goal, keep going! Great things take time.

Staff Are Here For you! Text: Wherever you are in your educational goal, keep going! Great things take time.