For Immediate Release
October 9, 2014
Contact:
Dong Yoon Kim, NAKASEC
Emily Kessel, NAKASEC
NAKASEC Announces Weekly DACA Office Hours and TheDream.US Scholarships for UndocuYouth
Annandale, Virginia- Today, NAKASEC will begin open office hours at its Annandale office to assist first-time and renewing applicants for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) once a week on Thursdays from 1-6pm. Additionally, Gaby Pacheco from TheDream.US joined NAKASEC at a press conference to announce TheDream.US’s partnerships with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) and George Mason University (GMU) to accept scholarship applications from undocumented youth, who have been admitted with in-state tuition. NAKASEC’s Virginia partner, the Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations (VACOLAO), is also striving towards making these educational and service opportunities widely known to the immigrant community.
Dong Yoon, NAKASEC’s Program Associate said: “NAKASEC has worked with VACOLAO, who has been engaged with community members from all walks of life for immigrant rights. Through their work and leadership, in-state tuition for DACA recipients is available, giving hope to thousands of Dreamers. The work and role of TheDream.US are critical and vital to our youth in providing hope and opportunities for their future. We will work continuously with VACOLAO, TheDream.US, community members, and organizations from all walks of life to make sure that Dreamers, their parents, and all new Americans and aspiring citizens may achieve citizenship to make their dreams a reality. We encourage all immigrant youth who qualify to apply for TheDream.US. NAKASEC is opening its office to community members to apply for DACA so that Dreamers are one step closer to achieving their dreams and goals.”
Gaby Pacheco from TheDream.US said:“Being a DREAMer is something that was planted in our hearts by our families, our parents came to this nation with a dream for a better future for their children, and it’s up to us to seize the opportunities that lie in front of us like this scholarship. Education is a tool that opens the doors of opportunity. At TheDream.US we believe that we have a responsibility to help those who seek a college education to obtain one. Helping young people go to college will not only affect the lives of the young people going to college, but as well their family, community and the entire country.”
Edgar Aranda-Yanoc, Chair of Virginia Coalition of Latino Organizations said: “VACOLAO congratulates TheDream.US on partnering with the Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University on providing scholarships to New Americans and aspiring citizen students. VACOLAO has worked continuously for immigrant rights, including in-state tuition for all immigrant students, regardless of status, and this scholarship will assist many young Dreamers make their dreams and hopes a reality. We encourage all students who qualify to apply for the scholarship and be engaged with us in bringing all aspiring citizens’ dreams a reality soon.”
Students can apply for TheDream.US scholarships here: http://thedreamus.scholarsapply.org. Questions can be answered by emailing thedream.us@scholarshipamerica.org or calling 1-507-931-1682 and asking for the THEDREAM.US Scholarship Program.
NAKASEC once again called out to Korean American and Asian American and Pacific Islander community members emphasizing the importance of registering to vote by October 14 and hitting the polls on November 4. Community members who need assistance registering to vote, finding their polling location, or acquiring voter education information can call the NAKASEC Virginia office at 703-256-2208.
For information regarding early absentee voting for Fairfax County, please visit:
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/elections/absentee_locations.htm
For a list of candidates who are running, please visit: http://bit.ly/varace2014
To register to vote online, please visit: https://www.vote.virginia.gov/
To locate your polling place, please visit: https://www.vote.virginia.gov/search
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The National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC) was founded in 1994 by local community centers to project a progressive voice and promote the full participation of Korean Americans on major social justice issues. NAKASEC maintains offices in Annandale, Virginia and Los Angeles, California. NAKASEC has affiliates in Chicago (Korean American Resource & Cultural Center) and Los Angeles (Korean Resource Center).
