East Bay Spanish Speaking Citizens’ Foundation: Case for Support

Cultural Celebration

Hosting monthly community health and wellness events outside our building.

Introduction & History

The East Bay Spanish Speaking Citizens' Foundation (SSCF) was founded in 1964 by local visionaries, during the height of civil rights movements, in response to unmet needs and a forgotten community with the purpose of fostering and promoting community-wide interest and concern for Spanish speaking peoples in the East Bay. SSCF formally incorporated as a 501(c)3 on November 12, 1965 with the goal of eliminating discrimination, economic and otherwise; lessening sickness, poverty and crime; and raising the economic, education, and social level of under-resourced Spanish speaking members of our community.

Our mission, then and now, is to help individuals and families improve their lives, embrace their heritage, and develop as civic leaders by promoting educational enrichment and civic engagement.

We build on community connections, promote skills development, and encourage meaningful participation. Working in collaboration with our partners, our vision is to advance the sustainability of a vibrant community where people live in harmony and where there are high-quality educational, recreational and employment opportunities for all.

Executive Director

Message from our Executive Director

“Clients come to SSCF where they find a welcoming staff and safe space that reflects the culture and experiences of our community members.

Our work is grounded in creating possibilities for youth and families. We are continually confronting the policies and practices of a broken immigration system, and responding to impacts on individuals living here and on their families throughout Latin America. Knowing and feeling the traumas our community faces, root causes that lead to migration, the migration journey itself, and federal immigration enforcement that separates families through detention, deportation, and delayed processing, strengthens our commitment to bring youth and families together through shared culture and lived experiences to create a sense of community, safety, and belonging.

As an immigrant from Guatemala, I am proud to represent and champion the work of SSCF. I wish there had been these types of supports for my family as we navigated life as newcomers to the United States. But we honor and thank the founders of this wonderful organization, as its history tells the story of how it only takes a few people to come together to make a difference and have a significant impact. It is my privilege to carry on their legacy.

— Christopher Nery Martínez,
Executive Director

Cultural Celebration

Honoring our culture

We embrace our heritage by hosting cultural events that community members can lead or participate in. This is a photograph of one of our ofrendas (altar) for Día de los Muertos. Join us at the annual festival!

Celebrating 60 years of service

On November 12, 2025, our organization will celebrate sixty years of service to the community. Over the years in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood, we have built community trust and people know where they can go for assistance and that their voices will be heard.

As part of our work creating a more equitable future for Latine youth and families, we recognize that it is important to diversify our funding streams. Together, with you and all our supporters and community, we can build a plan to sustain the organization for an additional 60 years and beyond!

Thank you for your support!

Our Work & Impact

We provide services that include building educational access and pathways, and ensuring our community has access to quality immigration services that provide the best possible outcomes. We connect people to a cohort of peers, a caring staff who build connections and trust, and to a community of supportive resources available within schools and partner organizations to increase access to educational opportunities and family stability.

SSCF offers programs and services in three core areas:

1. Immigration Legal and Citizenship Services

  • Educate clients on their legal rights and protections and the naturalization process, empowering them to navigate the immigration system confidently.
  • Advocate for clients and community members by expanding and strengthening our collaborations with funders and partners to increase access to legal services and promote fair immigration policies.
  • Facilitate the application process for visas, work permits, and citizenship, reducing barriers to lawful status and providing accessible and affordable services to help access legal rights.
  • Celebrate each milestone of progress, from securing residency to achieving citizenship, and bringing people together to recognize the significance of these accomplishments.

2. Education, Enrichment, and Civic Engagement

  • Educate youth through in-school and afterschool support, internships, and mentorship opportunities that nurture positive relationships, inspire lifelong learning, and develop critical thinking skills.
  • Advocate for equal access to quality educational opportunities, particularly for newcomer students, by recognizing and leveraging individual and community strengths to foster leadership development, promote educational advancement, and engage in civic life.
  • Facilitate programs that connect high school youth, post-secondary students, and adult learners with resources for academic growth, high school and college success, social emotional learning, professional development, career pathways, leadership development, and community involvement.
  • Celebrate the achievements of students, volunteers, and participants who contribute to the enrichment and betterment of their communities.

3. Information and Referral

  • Educate individuals on available resources and services in-house and the broader community to address their immediate and long-term needs.
  • Advocate for broader support for our community, building and growing partnerships and collaborations with our neighbors to bring key services, ensuring everyone has the tools to thrive.
  • Facilitate connections between individuals and local organizations, providing information on and referrals to services, neighborhood partners, family engagement and civic participation opportunities.
  • Celebrate the successes of community members, our culture and diversity.

Some key highlights of our impact in 2023-24:

  • 10,120 clients gained access to valuable information and referrals, connecting them to vital resources.
  • Through our weekly offering of 7 ESL classes, 243 adults are gaining essential English language skills to advance in school or work, empowering them to achieve greater success and opportunity.
  • Through our Citizenship Services, 178 permanent residents proudly became new U.S. citizens, and we celebrated their remarkable achievement as they embraced new opportunities for civic engagement.
  • Through our LIBRE program, 135 youth and young adults received support to stay on track in high school, with many continuing on to college. The program also provided ongoing guidance to help them succeed in college and graduate.
  • Celebrating our culture and shared identity, 45 community members joined us for a Posada Party at SSCF, strengthening community bonds through cherished traditions.

Financial shapshot and need

Financial shapshot and need

Keep the Mission Alive:
Why Private Donations Matter Now More Than Ever

Government funding for our programs may have been reduced, but the needs of the community we serve have not diminished. In fact, they have grown. Immigrant families and youth continue to face significant barriers, and our work is more crucial than ever. This is where you come in.

Private donors like you are not just supporters—you are lifelines. Here is why your help is essential:

  1. Filling the Gap: With government funding no longer available, the sustainability of our programs depends on individuals and businesses stepping up. Without private donations, essential services like education, legal assistance, and support services may be drastically reduced or eliminated altogether. But with your support, we can keep these life-changing programs running.
  2. Immediate and Local Impact: Your donation stays in the community, ensuring that those who need help most—immigrant families and young people—receive it. Unlike government funds, which often come with restrictions and delays, your contribution allows us to be flexible and respond quickly to the immediate needs of those we serve.
  3. Empowerment Through Collective Action: While government funding helps on a broad scale, it is community members, like you, who build the foundation for long-term change. Every donation—whether large or small—contributes to creating a community where immigrants and youth can thrive. You are not just giving money, you are investing in people’s futures, and empowering the next generation of leaders.
  4. Trust and Transparency: Unlike large bureaucratic funding streams, private donations allow for direct, transparent action. You will see exactly where your contributions go and the real impact they make. We pride ourselves on being accountable to our donors and providing tangible results. You will be part of a community that gets to witness the lives changed because of your generosity.
  5. Your Values in Action: In times like these, when public resources are shrinking, private philanthropy reflects the values we hold as a society—compassion, inclusivity, and justice. Your donation is a powerful statement that you believe in equal opportunity for all, regardless of background or immigration status.

We may have lost government funding, but with your help, we won’t lose hope. Your private donation ensures that immigrant families and youth continue to receive the critical support they need. Stand with us in this time of need—let us show what a united community can achieve.

You can help meet our goals

This year presents us with program expansion and capacity building opportunities. Your support will help:

  • Create an impact evaluation system that will lead to the implementation of best practices that strengthens our programs and ensures continuous quality improvement to best meet the ongoing and evolving needs of our community, and
  • Expand opportunities for the Latine community to develop computer skills and build digital literacy, principally to better understand the benefits and risks of Artificial Intelligence (AI), helping to bridge the digital divide, and
  • Offer the support and resources necessary to increase post-secondary access, persistence and retention rates for Latine youth and young adults.
Financial shapshot and need