>Empowerment

The Empowerment Department, consisting of ESL on and off campus, GASPED and LAC, is devoted to working for justice on campus, in our local community and the greater world by giving people the resources, support and confidence to thrive and live their lives to the fullest. We work specifically with the queer community, people whose first language is not English, undocumented immigrants and documented immigrants, and laborers. We are advocates and we are activists for equality and the dignity of each human being, and we celebrate people for who they are and what they contribute to the global community.

>Programs in Empowerment

GASPED (Gay and Straight People Educating for Diversity) works to educate people both on and off the Santa Clara University campus including residence halls, classrooms, high schools, and youth clubs about issues relating to sexual identity, becoming a straight ally, gender identity, and queer sensitivity. We work for general queer awareness and train others in acceptance, while establishing a safe space in our community.

Contact Julie Arcaro
JArcaro@scu.edu

Volunteer information:
Meeting Time:Mondays at 7pm in the SCCAP office
Social aspect:It is always encouraged to bring friends to spread the love, but you can come individually or as a group ... just come!
Ideal Volunteer: There is no commitment nessesary. Come once, come twice, come every single week - it doesn't matter. We all like a bit of consistency, but no pressure. This program is good for people who would like to promote education on campus concerning LGBTQ equality, and people who do well working with others to achieve a set of common goals. We love creativity.  

Whether you speak a ton or not much at all, put your Spanish language skills to work helping our friendly on-campus workers better their English. Teach a class or work one-on-one. It's a great way to get to know the workers on campus and sometimes you can get credit for classes!

Contact Betsy Purner
EPurner@scu.edu

Volunteer information:
Meeting Time: ESL will usually meet once a week on your own schedule, usually 1-2 hours.
Social aspect: ESL on campus is best done individually.
Ideal Volunteer: Knowledge of spanish is great but not necessary and ESL training will be will provided! Volunteers should consider making ESL a regular commitment.

Empower Spanish speaking immigrants through teaching English as a second language! Spend some time at the Mountain View Day Workers Center to learn more about the immigrant experience, develop cross-cultural friendships, and better your Spanish conversational skills.

Contact Kristin Leonard
KLeonard@scu.edu

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This committee is dedicated to working in solidarity with workers on our campus, in the bay area, and around the world. We are also a part of USAS (United Students Against Sweatshops), which is a national organization which works in solidarity with labor struggles around the world, making connections between merchandise sold at universities and the factories where the merchandise is made.

Contact Sarah Bradley
SBradley@scu.edu

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