Reflection on Partnership and Collaboration
The community partner I decided to be located at for this fellowship year was the Dream Resource Center (DRC) at San Francisco State University (SFSU). When I think about partnerships in the context of service learning I essentially think of building community starting internally. An important aspect to building internal community is that it creates trust within the organization and with this internal trust organizations are much stronger to organize together to reach a common goal. Internal trust will also allow space for healthy communication, delegation of task, and of personal growth. Here at the Dream Resource Center our common goal is to support, uplift and build community within the undocumented students at San Francisco State University this includes whether or not someone qualifies for AB540. Another important aspects of partnerships in the context of service learning that is also important to students’ relationships with community partners is the possibility of personal and educational development. Norma Salcedo who is the AB540 coordinator creates an amazing environment for growth and development. When I began my semester with the DRC she held an Intern Retreat where we were able to go over what the Dream Resource Center does, which is to informing students from things such as the difference between AB540 and the DREAM act and supporting DACA students after the recession. The DRC also informs the university environment of undocumented students needs and expectations while also building a supporting community that understands the hustle. In this retreat there was also an educational portion where we were educated on the undocumented population at SFSU, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) polices and procedures, and knowing that our Dream Resource Center also supports the student organization Improving Dreams, Equity, Access, and Success (I.D.E.A.S).
Next when I think about community partnerships and collaboration in the context of service learning I also think about two different organizations being able to come together to shape and build a stronger movement of a common goal. Being apart of Institute of Civic and Community Engagement (I.C.C.E) and at the Dream Resource Center I am able to use both locations as a platforms to support and uplift undocumented at SFSU, not only as a fellow or as an intern, but as someone who is an on campus organizer and activist, which is what service learning entails. Service learning is learning information within a classroom or of an organization and being able to apply this now new acquire knowledge to the community. Another important aspect between the I.C.C.E and the DRC is that I am able to apply the knowledge from the Undocumented trainings into the I.C.C.E.
This education can also be a great way of being able to collaborate with future organizations. I also sit on the council of T.R.U.T.H, whom are supported by the Transgender Law Center and Gender and Sexualities Network. The goal of T.R.U.T.H is one that aims to build empathy, understanding, and a movement for trans and gender non conforming youth to share their narratives in their own way. Within this organization I was able to help create a trans 101 powerpoint which illustrates the difference between Sex Assigned at Birth, Gender, and Gender Experience, understanding and identifying relevant terms for dialogue around trans and queer issues, and resources. Mainly this presentation was used for high school students, high school teachers, and districts, but I was able to adopt this presentation to creating safer environments for trans people at SFSU. As someone who is trans it is important for me to feel safe in spaces and with this educational training I am able to create that in spaces that I am. I have already done my Trans101 training with the Institute of Civic Community Engagement and I will be doing my trans 101 at the DRC next intern meeting.
All of this is important when building partnerships and collaborations with community partners as a student. The sense of internal community and trust allows me to humanize the people around me, but also to having a personal relationship with Norma. The sense of being educated allows me to educate folks around me in different spaces and having the ability to direct people to resources when needed.
Next when I think about community partnerships and collaboration in the context of service learning I also think about two different organizations being able to come together to shape and build a stronger movement of a common goal. Being apart of Institute of Civic and Community Engagement (I.C.C.E) and at the Dream Resource Center I am able to use both locations as a platforms to support and uplift undocumented at SFSU, not only as a fellow or as an intern, but as someone who is an on campus organizer and activist, which is what service learning entails. Service learning is learning information within a classroom or of an organization and being able to apply this now new acquire knowledge to the community. Another important aspect between the I.C.C.E and the DRC is that I am able to apply the knowledge from the Undocumented trainings into the I.C.C.E.
This education can also be a great way of being able to collaborate with future organizations. I also sit on the council of T.R.U.T.H, whom are supported by the Transgender Law Center and Gender and Sexualities Network. The goal of T.R.U.T.H is one that aims to build empathy, understanding, and a movement for trans and gender non conforming youth to share their narratives in their own way. Within this organization I was able to help create a trans 101 powerpoint which illustrates the difference between Sex Assigned at Birth, Gender, and Gender Experience, understanding and identifying relevant terms for dialogue around trans and queer issues, and resources. Mainly this presentation was used for high school students, high school teachers, and districts, but I was able to adopt this presentation to creating safer environments for trans people at SFSU. As someone who is trans it is important for me to feel safe in spaces and with this educational training I am able to create that in spaces that I am. I have already done my Trans101 training with the Institute of Civic Community Engagement and I will be doing my trans 101 at the DRC next intern meeting.
All of this is important when building partnerships and collaborations with community partners as a student. The sense of internal community and trust allows me to humanize the people around me, but also to having a personal relationship with Norma. The sense of being educated allows me to educate folks around me in different spaces and having the ability to direct people to resources when needed.
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