Blog

A seven-year path to residency
Posted: April 6, 2023
In May 2022, seven years after she emigrated from Guatemala, Karla Rodas became a U.S. resident. She credits the Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team at Canal Alliance with helping her to achieve this milestone.

Navigating a journey to a brighter future
Posted: April 5, 2023
Discover the inspiring story of Blanca Garcia, a nursing student and mother who overcame adversity with the help of Canal Alliance. Learn how she transformed her life and now pursues her dreams in the medical field.

Entrepreneur achieves through education
Posted: October 25, 2022
Melkyn Mazariegos came to the U.S. from Guatemala as a teenager to support his family and make a better life for himself.

Graduate looks to the future
Posted: October 25, 2022
Maria Espinosa is among Cal Poly Humboldt’s first graduating class of 2022. She has been part of our University Prep program since middle school, took advantage of outdoor enrichment opportunities through high school.

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

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.

Local Business Spotlight: Surisadai Cuervo of L&M and S&H Cleaners
Posted: June 3, 2022
Surisadai Cuervo, who goes by Suri, is a successful businesswoman who kept L&M cleaners afloat through the pandemic and despite a competitive market by focusing on customer service and at-home delivery, S&H Cleaners.

Andrea Rivas Iraheta connects with newly arrived immigrant youth
Posted: April 12, 2022
A case worker helps young people connect to education and employment, build community, and pursue their goals.

A young person’s path to citizenship
Posted: February 15, 2022
Timoteo Vasquez-Mendez left his home in Guatemala, fleeing difficult conditions in his country, and traveled to the United States in search of a better future. He was stopped by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as he tried to cross the border then sent to a detention center in New York, then released to stay with his uncle Jesus Vasquez in San Rafael. He was 17 years old.