Relationship: Inclusion & Change Group
Immigrants Rising’s Facilitated Activity Groups offer undocumented young people tangible skills, knowledge, and accountability to pursue personal, educational, and professional goals.
Facilitated Activity Groups provide a space for undocumented high school and college students to explore a topic while building relationships with one another. All activity groups will be guided by a skilled facilitator who is intimately familiar with the undocumented experience.
Activity Groups will meet for 6 consecutive weeks in a virtual setting. Explore the topics we’re offering this year below.
#ICanAffordCollege: Financing a College Education as an Undocumented Student
What will I learn from this activity group?
Everyone deserves an education that is enjoyable, fulfilling, and free from constraints! Unfortunately, undocumented students face additional barriers to pursuing their educational goals and enjoying their educational journeys due to the added stress that comes with limited access to financial and campus resources. This activity group will introduce you to strategies, resources, tips, and key actionable steps you can take to finance your college education and advocate for more and better campus resources. By the end of this activity group, you will implement a plan to increase your funding to help you alleviate some of the financial barriers to pursuing your educational goals.
You will receive a Certificate of Completion after attending at least five sessions.
Who can participate in this activity group?
This activity group is for undocumented high school and college students in the U.S.
When is this activity group offered?
This activity group is offered three times between Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.
- Fall Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 10/11/2022, ending 11/15/2022)
- Winter Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 1/24/23, ending 2/28/23)
- Spring Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 4/18/23, ending 5/23/23)
We are currently not offering new Activity Group sessions.
Immigrants Rising’s Wellness Support Groups help undocumented people stay grounded and connected with the community.
Wellness Support Groups are designed to help undocumented students in postsecondary education tend to their well-being, find a support network, and feel a sense of belonging while navigating their postsecondary education journey. Each group is led by trained mental health providers or registered clinicians and meets weekly for 6 weeks in a closed virtual space.
Students may also join an all-group introductory session for one hour on Monday, April 6, at 12:30 p.m. PT, and a closing session the week of May 18 (exact date & time to be announced). The introductory session aims to provide space for participants to connect, address general onboarding questions, and complete their pre-survey for a $15 gift card incentive. The closing session will offer space for participants to reconnect and complete their post-evaluations for a $35 gift card incentive.
Advance registration is required to ensure a confidential space where 14-18 participants can feel grounded, find community, and share their unique experiences, challenges, and successes with one another. Click here to register and join a support group.
Note: Though participation can be therapeutic, the groups are not a form of therapy.
Groups Starting in April 2026
Crafting Your Spiritual Path (Wednesdays)
Dates: Six consecutive Wednesdays from April 8 to May 20, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. PT
About the Group: This group explores the intersection of language, cultural identity, and belief systems for all community members, whether you’re curious about spirituality, committed to a tradition, or simply seeking personal growth. We aim to create an inclusive space where participants can honor diverse traditions and ancestral wisdom, and feel empowered to shape their own paths rooted in organized religion, indigenous practices, or something entirely personal. We welcome all perspectives, encourage open sharing, and focus on supporting mental wellness. Read More
About the Facilitator: Laurie is a bilingual LMFT based in Santa Barbara, CA. She holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology: Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University and a B.A. in Child Development from Cal State LA. She was born and raised in Guatemala until she was 14, when she moved to Santa Barbara. Laurie believes in the importance of creating a safe space in which people from undocumented, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented communities can exist fully and unapologetically. Read More
Nourishing Connection to Your Self & Spaces (Tuesdays)
Dates: Six consecutive Tuesdays from April 7 to May 19, 2026
Time: 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT / 12 p.m. MT / 11 a.m. PT
About the Group: This group focuses on reframing the concept of sacred spaces, seeking out environments that resonate with peace and connection, whether that’s at the beach, in nature, or within ourselves. This group is not just about healing but also about celebrating what makes us feel good and fostering a sense of community in a time that may feel unstable. We aim to create our own unique “altars” of support and connection, finding strength in vulnerability and resilience in togetherness. Learn More
About the Facilitator: Victoria (she/her/ella) is a creator of ideas, stories, digital, and audio content. As a first-generation undocumented Aquarius woman, she seeks to understand the complexities of the world through an anti-racist lens. She launched the Shot of Truth Podcast with hopes of sharing the truths of undocumented individuals and unpacking the systemic parallels related to immigration. Through this work, she has come to recognize the critical importance of community and compassion. Learn More
Reconnection Through Creative Expression (Wednesdays)
Dates: Six consecutive Wednesdays from April 8 to May 20, 2026
Time: 3 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. MT / 12 p.m. PT
About the Group: It’s natural to feel hesitant about reconnecting, but now is the best time. In this group, we use practices such as SoulCollage, mandalas, Zentangles, and intention bowls to blend timeless traditions with modern approaches to nurture emotional well-being. Sessions include creative expression and meditation, encouraging everyone to use accessible, everyday materials, such as fabric scraps, found images, or even old mail, to make meaningful art. No experience is needed, just a willingness to reconnect, create, and share in community. Learn More
About the Facilitator: Akiah T. R. Selwa (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, certified SoulCollage® facilitator, certified Group Spiritual Director, and mixed-media artist passionate about integrating art into mental health practices. Akiah’s approach of helping individuals heal and connect through artistic expression is deeply personal, drawing from her journey and ancestral lineage of artists and healers. Her warm and inviting presence inspires others to find their voice, continue on their healing journeys, and tap into their artistic potential. Learn More
Reconnection Through Creative Expression (Fridays)
Dates: Six consecutive Fridays from April 10 to May 22, 2026
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. CT / 1:30 p.m. MT / 12:30 p.m. PT
About the Group: It’s natural to feel hesitant about reconnecting, but now is the best time. In this group, we use practices such as SoulCollage, mandalas, Zentangles, and intention bowls to blend timeless traditions with modern approaches to nurture emotional well-being. Sessions include creative expression and meditation, encouraging everyone to use accessible, everyday materials, such as fabric scraps, found images, or even old mail, to make meaningful art. No experience is needed, just a willingness to reconnect, create, and share in community. Learn More
About the Facilitator: Akiah T. R. Selwa (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, certified SoulCollage® facilitator, certified Group Spiritual Director, and mixed-media artist passionate about integrating art into mental health practices. Akiah’s approach of helping individuals heal and connect through artistic expression is deeply personal, drawing from her journey and ancestral lineage of artists and healers. Her warm and inviting presence inspires others to find their voice, continue on their healing journeys, and tap into their artistic potential. Learn More
Ritual & Resistance (Mondays)
Dates: Six consecutive Mondays from April 6 to May 18, 2026
Time: 5 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. PT
About the Group: This wellness support group invites college students to reconnect with ancestral practices of brujería as tools for everyday healing, grounding, and self-discovery. Rooted in elemental wisdom such as fire, water, wind, and earth, this space explores how intention, ritual, energy, and connection can support our mental and emotional well-being. Through guided conversations and short weekly explorations, participants will learn simple practices—like intention-setting, grounding, cleansing, and self-reflection—that can be integrated into daily life. Learn More
About the Facilitator: Ana Miriam (she/they) is a self-proclaimed greñuda whose work is influenced by the thousands of stories she has heard from undocumented immigrants: from interviewing farm workers in her hometown, Anderson Valley, to university offices and K-12 classrooms across the country. She holds many intersectionalities as a queer Chicana who migrated to the United States at the age of 10. Her proudest accomplishment is growing in community and collectively creating spaces that advocate for equity and liberation. Learn More
Undocu Voices Unbound: The Power of Narratives (Tuesdays)
Dates: Six consecutive Tuesdays from April 7 to May 19, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. MT / 4 p.m. PT
About the Group: Everyone is welcome at our creative support group, where we focus on poetry, personal stories, music, and the inspiring voices of immigrants. Explore ancestry, history, and mindfulness while expressing yourself through writing and song. Be inspired by artists like James Baldwin, Nina Simone, Gloria Anzaldúa, Kendrick Lamar, and Yosimar Reyes as we amplify diverse voices and celebrate personal storytelling and activism. This is your space to connect, grow, and discover the power of your own story. Learn More
About the Facilitator: Kissu Taffere, LCSW (she/her), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas and California with experience spanning international organizations and community-based settings across multiple continents. Born in Ethiopia to Eritrean parents and raised in the U.S., her lived experience informs a clinical approach rooted in cultural identity, intergenerational dynamics, and family attachment. Taffere also facilitates support groups with immigrant rights organizations, consults with refugee resettlement agencies, and contributes to academic programming focused on refugee and immigrant mental health. Learn More
Undocu Voices Unbound: The Power of Narratives (Wednesdays)
Dates: Six consecutive Wednesdays from April 8 to May 20, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. MT / 1 p.m. PT
About the Group: Everyone is welcome at our creative support group, where we focus on poetry, personal stories, music, and the inspiring voices of immigrants. Explore ancestry, history, and mindfulness while expressing yourself through writing and song. Be inspired by artists like James Baldwin, Nina Simone, Gloria Anzaldúa, Kendrick Lamar, and Yosimar Reyes as we amplify diverse voices and celebrate personal storytelling and activism. This is your space to connect, grow, and discover the power of your own story. Learn More
About the Facilitator: Kissu Taffere, LCSW (she/her), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Texas and California with experience spanning international organizations and community-based settings across multiple continents. Born in Ethiopia to Eritrean parents and raised in the U.S., her lived experience informs a clinical approach rooted in cultural identity, intergenerational dynamics, and family attachment. Taffere also facilitates support groups with immigrant rights organizations, consults with refugee resettlement agencies, and contributes to academic programming focused on refugee and immigrant mental health. Learn More
Are These Groups for You?
If you’re wondering whether our Wellness Support Groups are the right fit, here is what you need to know. These groups are right for you if:
- You are a student in a postsecondary education institution (e.g., a 2-year or 4-year college or university, trade or technical school, or vocational program). Note: If you are enrolled in a 4-year college or university, you must be an undergraduate student to participate.
- You are attending an educational institution in one of the following states: California, Arizona, Texas, Illinois, New York, or Florida.
- You are undocumented.
- You are 18 or older.
- You feel comfortable conversing in English.
- You have a tool to join virtual meetings (phone, laptop, etc.).
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Note: This round, we’re celebrating our partners who help spread the word! For groups meeting from April to May, priority registration will be given to students connected to one of the following educational institutions or nonprofit organizations: Aliento, Clovis Community College, Education and Leadership Foundation, Fresno City College Dream Center, Reedley Community College, Rooted, Scholarship A-Z, and Undocumented Student Resource Center at Northern Illinois University. If your organization or institution is not on the list, please reach out to explore a partnership for upcoming Wellness Support Groups. Email Naja at [email protected]. |
Have Questions?
If you have any questions, please check out our Participant FAQ.
Facilitators for Groups Starting in April
Akiah T. R. Selwa, LMFT, SEP (Adv II) |
Ana Miriam |
Kissu Taffere, LCSW |
Laurie, LMFT |
Victoria |
Immigrants Rising’s Educational Transitions Coaching provides undocumented students mentorship and guidance to successfully transition to their next stage in life.
Immigrants Rising Coaches are experts in working directly with undocumented students. Our coaches will work with you to achieve the goals that you identify between January and May 2022. Coaches support you through active listening, asking questions, and being fully invested in your success. They provide a safe space for you to envision and plan your next steps. Our coaches are part of a network of other undocumented folks and will be able to connect you to a supportive community as well.
Who is this for?
Educational Transitions Coaching is for students who:
- Attend or are affiliated with one of our Catalyst Fund Campuses
- Are foreign-born
- Do not have permanent residency (green card) or citizenship in the U.S.
- Are available to receive coaching for a span of up to 4 months
What can I expect from coaching?
You will meet with your coach in a 1-1 video zoom call once a week to discuss your situation and empower your actions.
Your coach can support you with:
- Setting academic goals and academic support
- Career/post-graduation income generation
- Guidance on what actions will most impact your goals
- Legal, academic, and mental health resources
- Navigating family dynamics
When does coaching begin?
We are not currently accepting any new coaching participants.
Click here for answers to more Commonly Asked Questions.
California state laws and policies protect access to public higher education for students who are undocumented—including students without DACA, TPS, or other forms of temporary status. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options after completing high school or your GED, currently enrolled in a California college or university, or newly seeing higher education as a possibility, our resources are here to support your academic journey.
Understand In-State Tuition/AB 540
Being AB 540-eligible is often the first step in accessing in-state tuition rates, state-based financial aid, and some private scholarships for undocumented students. Learn about what AB 540 is and how you can meet the requirements or take steps to build eligibility if you’re not yet qualified.
Get Financial Aid
Understand the process, timeline, and steps to apply to the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA), the state financial aid application for undocumented students. Financial aid has three general areas available for eligible undocumented students: grants, scholarships, and loans. You don’t have to pay back grants and scholarships, but you do have to pay back loans. Remember, you have the agency to seek support and choose what you accept as part of your school’s financial aid package.
- CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) Map
- Step 1: CA Dream Act Application Checklist
- Step 2: Cal Grant Checklist
- Types of Financial Aid Available for Undocumented Students
Find Additional Support
Get resources to support you in all parts of your educational journey. Access additional materials on CA in-state tuition, financial aid, and campus support. Find opportunities to tend to your mental health, kickstart your entrepreneurship journey, and support your career goals.
- Quick Guide to College Access
- Applying for Scholarships & Fellowships
- List of our resources on Higher Education
- Mental Health Resources
- Making Money Resources
- Career Resources
- Presidents’ Alliance’s Graduate and Professional Student Resource Hub
Find Immigration Legal Help
Learn about your immigration options by connecting with reliable legal support. Get tips and resources to find trustworthy providers across California. Understand the free legal resources available to you if you’re attending a CA Community College (CCC), CA State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) institution.
- Getting Legal Help
- CA Community Colleges’ Find Your Ally: Higher Education Legal Services
- CA State University’s (CSU) Legal Support Services
- University of California’s (UC) Immigrant Legal Services Center
Know Your Rights
Understand your rights, including the policies that protect the information you share on your financial aid application (CADAA). Remember and review your constitutional rights when interacting with immigration agents or local police (on- and off- campus) authorities or participating in protests.
- CA Student Aid Commission (CSAC)’s Protection of Student Information for CADAA Applicants
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)’s Red Cards
- National Immigration Law Center (NILC)’s Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Participation in Protests
Stay Connected
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If you are an UndocuEducator or an ally, sign up for our UndocuDigest for Higher Education. |