Blog
Jordan Vasquez: Student volunteer becomes a mentor to immigrant youth
Posted: October 25, 2022
Jordan Vasquez started out as a volunteer teacher’s aide at Canal Alliance helping immigrants speak English. Jordan is now helping immigrant youth in the OFY program as the Client success Mentor Coordinator.
A budding flower business takes root
Posted: October 25, 2022
Fifteen years ago, Iris Y. de Leon learned to speak English by taking ESL classes at Canal Alliance. This year she started her own flower business.
English language classes open doors for immigrants
Posted: October 17, 2022
When adults improve their communication and technology skills, their education and career opportunities expand, which not only benefits them, but also their families and their community
Supporting tenants at 400 Canal
Posted: October 11, 2022
Residents of an apartment building located at 400 Canal Street are faced with potential loss of their housing, having received ‘buy-out’ letters from the building’s new corporate ownership,
Gabriela Araceli Guiterrez and Filemon Para Hernandez: U.S. citizens and new voters
Posted: September 21, 2022
In this interview, Gabriela and Filemon detail their incredible journey, ongoing pursuit of educational opportunities, and what citizenship means to their family.
Immigration Legal Services as the Foundation for Improving Lives
Posted: September 6, 2022
Canal Alliance’s Immigration Legal Services (ILS) serves as the foundation for Improving Lives in the Canal district.
New football club gives youth equitable access to competitive sports
Posted: September 1, 2022
After five years of planning and organizing, the dream of having a competitive Football Club in the Canal neighborhood is now a reality.
Closing the ‘nature gap’ for Latino youth in Marin
Posted: August 31, 2022
Access to the beauty and benefits of the outdoors is limited for many young people including first generation Latino students and newly arrived immigrant youth from the Canal neighborhood.
Alleviating overcrowding and expanding affordable housing
Posted: August 30, 2022
The Canal neighborhood of San Rafael is geographically isolated and densely populated: more than 12,000 people live in two square miles.
Volunteer Carol Njus: ‘Whatever it takes’
Posted: August 2, 2022
Carol immersed herself in the study of Spanish, honing her skills in conversation and reading. She then put her language skills to work, helping Spanish-speaking residents of the Canal neighborhood make critical connections with employers, schools, and government institutions.
