Volunteer Work

August 2019 - Present

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant

East Bay Sanctuary Covenant provides legal services, community organizing, and transformative education to support low-income immigrants and people fleeing violence and persecution. Although EBSC originated in 1982 to provide Sanctuary for over 60,000 Salvadoran and Guatemalan refugees escaping the violence by the government during Central American civil wars, they have continued to fight for a world where immigrant and human rights are respected. Through empathy and amplifying asylum seekers' voices, EBSC is combating current immigration policies including sweeping new bars from receiving asylum, removing due process, and establishing the key grounds for asylum claims based on gender and LGBTQ identity. Over the years, EBSC has continued to provide resources aiding historically marginalized populations like indigenous people, members of the LGBTQ community, and those seeking refuge from gender-based violence.

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In Fall 2019, I started volunteering for EBSC when I organized a fundraiser event for LGBTQ asylum seekers on Nov 5th, 2019. I raised over $500 through this 80s/90s themed talent show fundraiser, and I have continued to host fundraisers annually for EBSC. This includes a software programming camp for the youth (raised over $400), a basketball camp for the youth (raised over $500), and a $300 donation check from Dublin City Council for being awarded for the 2020 Dublin Young Citizen Award. Outside of volunteering at EBSC and helping out with technical support, I have raised over $1500 for EBSC.

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At first, I started with volunteering at events like the Annual EBSC Fundraiser and Dinner and writing thank you letters to donors. Over time, I assisted asylum seekers filling out immigration paperwork by taking notes during intakes. I have also worked under the leadership of Lisa Hoffman (Development Director), Lisa Gano (Assistant Director), Sister Maureen Duignan (Executive Director), and Manuel De Paz (Coordinator CDE). These mentors motivated and inspired me with their selfless dedication to restore human rights. 

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In 2020, I had a larger role in the Annual Fundraiser and Dinner as I was a part of the production team and technical support. Due to COVID-19, this event had to be virtual, so I was involved in researching tech infrastructure and tools. Prior to the weekly meetings with the rest of the production team including Lisa Gano (Assistant Director), Lisa Hoffman (Development Director), and volunteers from UC Berkeley, I would look into different applications like live streaming services and the functions/ features. During the event, I would help the speakers who had issues with the streaming service and guests who had issues during the event through technical support. I have continued to help out with technical support with other virtual events like webinars and panels.

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I have continued to use my programming skills for good by helping make the entire EBSC website bilingual in both Spanish and English. During COVID-19, many English learners had trouble with technology and with no Spanish option on the website, it made it more difficult for them to use. 

April 2020 - Present

Community Food Drives

In Fall 2019, my parents were renovating the backyard and we decided to add garden beds after our smaller gardening projects succeeded. However when the depressing news that swept the globe surrounding COVID-19 hit, my garden beds started flourishing simultaneously. I procured plenty of produce more than my family could consume, followed by an abundance of vegetables throughout summer and fall. 

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When we entered lockdown last March, there was a severe shortage of food. Supermarket shelves were all empty as folks hoarded supplies, and online delivery was backed up. For the first time, our neighbors faced a food crisis, and I sprung into action by sharing my extra produce with them. Along with it, I also distributed some of my plants with them and instructed them on how to properly raise the plants. Now they understand how to farm their own food and reduce their carbon footprint to combat climate change.  I began to wonder if affluent communities like ours were facing an existential food crisis, how crucial was it for families facing unemployment or other hardships from COVID-19?  I came across a study conducted by Feeding America, and I was shocked to find that 54 million people faced food insecurity in 2020. 4 in 10 people had to rely on food banks in 2020, as COVID-19 continued to claim more jobs and lives.

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My garden beds supplied an excess of produce over the previous six months that we provided to the local food pantry at Valley Bible Church, Pleasanton. My family and I reached out to local Tri-Valley residents through neighborhood social networks, and the response was overwhelming. My weekly food drive appeared to prosper, with generous residents emailing me to arrange porch pickups, sometimes several times a week. These food drives were possible through social campaigns with charitable people supporting the community. Local food pantries are a significant way of connecting home-based food growers to food banks, soup kitchens, and service organizations that accept fresh produce. Pastor Wayne Johnson of the church informed me that my food drive and donations supplied 15-30 families or about 150 people a week.