Helping Frontline Immigrant Workers
Rosalina Verlardez, a BSP participant in Northern California
My name is Rosalinda Velardez, I am 53 years old and I am from Mexico. I came to the United States together with my husband in the 90s. Since we arrived in this country, we have dedicated ourselves to working and trying hard to have a better life.
We have three children. I always dedicated myself to taking care of my children in the mornings while my husband worked and at night, I went to work as a janitor in some very large buildings. My husband and I were able to give my children the tools and support so they could attend college and are currently professionals with college degrees.
After a long time we began to think about applying for our residency, since they began the deportation process to be able to apply to obtain a good case and achieve residency.
“From citizenship classes to helping to develop digital skills, because thanks to BSP, I was able to learn how to connect on Zoom, use my computer or tablet, how to navigate the internet and the new applications that we currently have access to in this generation.”
BSP offers Citizenship programs to frontline immigrant workers
I have taken BPS’s Citizenship and Digital Literacy courses. BSP has helped me a lot in my personal progress since they offer me great flexibility, since I can attend classes online and this was a great help because while I was working I could study, I would also like to mention that this organization in addition to giving me classes free, they also provided me with the necessary materials to be able to continue with my classes and understand the content of the class.
“I would like to share with my colleagues: I am a woman, I am a mother, I am a wife, I arrived in a country as an immigrant and without knowing the language, but this did not stop me from moving forward and supporting my family, so we must have a goal for more in life.”
From citizenship classes to helping to develop digital skills, because thanks to BSP, I was able to learn how to connect on Zoom, use my computer or tablet, how to navigate the internet and the new applications that we currently have access to in this generation. I would also like to mention that I felt very supported by the BSP teachers since they motivated us to participate and did not exclude anyone. I remember our teacher saying “Look, I'll help you, don't be nervous.”
I think BSP has also supported me on a professional side, since they shared announcements where we could attend other types of workshops, such as scholarship support, interview simulations, community resources, among other things.
Being a BSP student, you have access to so many essential resources that are there for everyone, but many people don't know they are there, which is why programs like those provided by BSP are important, they keep you informed.
I would like to share with my colleagues: I am a woman, I am a mother, I am a wife, I arrived in a country as an immigrant and without knowing the language, but this did not stop me from moving forward and supporting my family, so we must have a goal for more in life. No matter how small it is, you will be able to achieve it, since everything is in one, do not lose faith and everyone goes at their own time, keep working and striving because it is possible.
Congratulations to Rosalinda on her hard work and accomplishments!