CARAS-Community Agency for Resources, Advocacy, and Services
Mission: To work with Latino youth and their families on issues that impact Latinos in Southern Santa Clara County.
Activities:
- Resources: Information and referral on a variety of concerns for Latinos in South County. CARAS is offering three different Team Service Project Proposals serving immigrants, voters, families and students in South County. Each team will work with a CARAS staff member to guide each team in completing the project and will lead the project. Focus: Immigrants’ Rights, Voting Rights, Students’ Advocacy
Needs this semester:
CARAS is offering three different Team Service Project Proposals serving immigrants, voters, families and students in South County. Each team will work with a CARAS staff member to guide each team in completing the project and will lead the project.
We are seeking teams of 4-8 students to aid in the coordinating and organizing of each project at every level from planning, to contacting stakeholders, to outreaching to the target populations each project will serve. Each team will meet weekly on Wed. at the CARAS Office from 6:30-8:00pm and Saturday mornings from 9:00-10:30 am to plan and implement their projects. They will be responsible for reaching each projects desired outcome by the deadline.
CARAS staff will give feedback on each project and an evaluation will be shared with the Professor of each class at the end of the project.
Project 1- Albert Covarrubias Justice Project (Participatory Defense)
Project 1 is to work with youth ages 14-21 involved in the justice system through participatory defense. Participatory defense is working alongside the families of juvenile defendants to advocate for their own cases through informing them of their rights to evidence, knowledge of legal procedure, facilitate communication with legal representation, provide emotional support for families and co-facilitating meetings with youth and their families to strategize.
The team will learn about the justice system including the juvenile court, criminal court, legal procedure, legal representation, racial profiling, police brutality and complaint process for police misconduct with local law enforcement agencies and courts.
Project Outcome(s)- An increase in knowledge of the juvenile justice system by team members as well as youth participants and their families. An increase in access to legal services, communication with legal representatives and court resources.
Project 2- Action in support of Immigrants' Rights locally
Project 2 will focus on organize actions in South County to inform undocumented community members about their rights, to inform them about the activities of local Immigration & Customs Enforcement offices and/or organize a March in support of undocumented community members and families.
The team will learn about current immigration policies, DACA, DAPA, AB60, including Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and the immigrant experience in California. The outcome will be to conduct actions with local undocumented community members, analyze and plan and coordinate an immigration march with local stakeholders and service organizations.
Project Outcome(s)- An increase in knowledge of immigrant rights and new policies by local undocumented community. Set up ongoing series of actions and service in South County, in collaboration with local stakeholders and service agencies.
Project 3- District Elections in Gilroy Petition and Survey
This project will have team members develop and implement a survey or petition regarding creating district elections in Gilroy for city council or school district elections. The team will develop questions that will determine the value of district elections to local community members, whether there is support for district elections from the public and the process of getting districting voted on in an election.
The team will learn compile the data for use by local stakeholders including the Latino voters, local city and school administrations. The petition will determine the overall sentiments of the public regarding district elections in Gilroy and its impact on local Latino voters. The team will work in collaboration with CARAS, local grass roots organizations, City of Gilroy administration, GUSD administration and office holders,
Project Outcome(s):
The team service projects outcomes will be to gather survey information and determine the support for district elections in Gilroy, complete a petition in Gilroy for district elections and the process of getting district elections on the upcoming ballot. Increase knowledge amongst Latino voters regarding the impact of district elections in their community in Gilroy.
Who should apply: outgoing students who can take the initiative; some roles involve public speaking. Spanish speaking a plus.
Special Notes: Students should contact CARAS Dir. Of Programs, Reymundo Armendariz at rarmendariz@carassouthcounty.org, to select which project they are interested in. The deadline to select a project is Friday March 3rd. Your selection will only be considered if you email Reymundo by this date, please do not confirm your selections by phone, as calls will not be documented. People at this agency are very dedicated, caring and occupied in providing valuable services. Please respect staff time by calling and making appointments, arriving on time, and keeping your discussion brief and concise. Please call ahead if you are not able to make your appointment or have an emergency which prevents you from arriving on time.
Address: 7341 Monterey Street Gilroy, CA 95020
Contact information: Contact: Reymundo Armendariz, 408 842 7898