13 Dec 2012

16 and legal: work permit changes Fernando’s life

The day that Fernando Macias-Morales received his work permit from the U.S. government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was the day his life changed. Just ask his mother, Yanet.

“I couldn’t believe it. He was crying. I was crying,” she recalls.

Last summer, Puente undertook a major outreach effort to young people who could qualify for DACA. Puente partnered with Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto  as well as private attorney, David Pasternak, to hold information sessions in Pescadero, and help people gather and complete the complicated paperwork – for free.

Under DACA, successful program applicants (all aged 30 or younger) are guaranteed the right to remain in the U.S for two years and work.  The paperwork must be renewed every two years.

Fernando is one of 16 young people who applied for work permits under DACA this fall. So far, 10 of them have already been approved.

Yanet says Fernando knew he was taking a risk by applying to DACA, which would essentially inform immigration authorities that he had been in the U.S. for most of his life.

(Fernando was only two months old when his parents left Mexico. But his siblings are all legal residents, making his case particularly unfair.)

But the 16-year-old knew it was his only chance to live a normal life.

“In the past he used to say, ‘Whether I get an A or an F, it doesn’t matter. I’m not going to be able to go to college or get a driver’s license, or get into the profession I want,’” says Yanet. “Now he knows he’s working to get into college.”

Yessenia Herrera won’t have to bum rides from friends to get to her community college classes from now on. She got her work permit in November and will apply for her California drivers’ license before the year is through.

The question on everyone’s minds is, what happens next? Analysts credit Latinos for propelling President Barack Obama to a second-term victory in many parts of the country. President Obama promised to renew DACA work permits when they expire in 2014, but he has also committed to comprehensive immigration reform.

Yanet Macias hopes her son will never again have to feel like an outsider.

“Since Obama granted Fernando a permit, maybe he’ll give him a green card. A lot can happen in two years,” she says.

To learn more about Puente’s efforts around DACA, contact Program Director Rita Mancera at (650) 879-1691 or rmancera@mypuente.org.

21 Nov 2012

Puente “rallies” for the holidays

Change in all things is sweet.
Aristotle (384-322 BC)

Dear Puente supporters, near and far,

Change in all things is sweet. And so it is with Puente.

As we move from the memorable days of Día de los Muertos to Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Las Posadas, and the Solstice, Puente is fully embracing this season of change. And as always, we need your help.

I’d like to introduce Puente’s new Rally page. At this time of year, especially, we’ve chosen a new online platform to tell the powerful stories of our beloved community – a way to connect our supporters more deeply with Puente.

By following us on Rally, you’ll hear first hand from members of our diverse community of farmers and farm workers, teachers and students, adults and youth. When you donate through our page, you’ll see that your gift supports Puente’s work right on the site.

We’d like to initiate this new program by asking for your help. Living far from other holiday programs, 140 South Coast children rely on you, their Puente community, to make their holiday dreams come true.With your support, their working parents will receive a gift card that will allow them to shop for gifts for their children they couldn’t otherwise afford. $7,000 will make a difference- that’s just $50 a child. 68 families, with 140 children need your help to reach our goal this holiday season.

We are proud to announce that a generous donor will contribute $10 to Puente for each new donor who uses Rally this holiday season. Even better, the Sobrato Family Foundation will match new and increased gifts to Puente for our holiday program, dollar for dollar.

At the end of the day, how Rally works is completely in your hands. With this change, we hope to be able to honor your giving, both online and off. So, please, give Rally a try – follow us, donate to us and send me your feedback (klobel@mypuente.org).

Thanks for all you do!

With affection,
Kerry Lobel
Executive Director, PUENTE
18 Nov 2012

Miracles: 140 South Coast children need you to help make their miracle this holiday season

Living far from other holiday programs, 140 South Coast children rely on you, their beloved Puente community, to make their holiday dreams come true. With your support, their working parents will receive a gift card that will allow them to shop for gifts for their children.
Imagine, working full time at minimum wage in fields or nurseries or as a childcare provider, and still not having enough to buy simple gifts for your children. 68 families, with 140 children need your help this holiday season.

Today, you can do something to help by clicking on the button below or by cyber-shopping at Puente’s wish list for children on Amazon.