Blog
Stay informed with news and updates from Canal Alliance programs and read about the impact of our work on the Latino immigrant community.
Marin’s Latinos still bearing brunt of coronavirus crisis
Posted: February 4, 2021
The Latino community has remained the group hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis in Marin, accounting for more than half of the county’s cases as the tally of infections has surpassed 10,000.
A friendship forged in construction class
Posted: February 4, 2021
Starting over in a new country is tough, especially without the support and camaraderie of friendship. Besides being in a wholly different place with unfamiliar food, customs, and culture, it can feel lonely without someone to share these new experiences with. Read the story of two friends who deepened their friendship through participating in our Workforce Development Program’s construction certification course.
Aliados spotlight: Jen Caynan
Posted: February 3, 2021
In 2018, after dedicating two years as a stay-at-home mom, Jen pivoted professionally and accepted a position at a nonprofit organization in Marin County. At that same time, she joined Canal Alliance’s dedicated community of donors who make a monthly recurring gift by becoming a member of the Canal Alliance Aliados (Spanish for ‘Allies’).
Celebrating a 16-year partnership
Posted: February 3, 2021
For 16 years, Canal Alliance has partnered with Dominican University’s Service-Learning Program. As a main component of the program, Dominican students are placed within programs at Canal Alliance and other community-based organizations and commit to working with them for a minimum of two hours per week for a full 15-week semester.
Partnership with UCSF on NIH grant to bring critical resources to Latino immigrants
Posted: February 3, 2021
Through an exciting new partnership with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Canal Alliance will participate in the development of more effective measures for COVID-19 testing, resource distribution and vaccine distribution in under-resourced, Latino-immigrant communities.
Committed to supporting the community
Posted: January 21, 2021
As the Financial Assistance Program Supervisor, Lauren Silver oversees a team that connects community members with emergency cash payments to help support individuals and families with the economic repercussions of the pandemic.
Providing financial relief
Posted: January 20, 2021
In Spring 2020, Canal Alliance established a Financial Assistance program as part of our organizational response to the pandemic and its devastating impact on Marin’s Latino immigrant community. Since the start of the program, more than $2.5 million has been raised from individual donors, foundations, and corporations, all of which has been distributed as direct cash assistance to over 4,000 individuals and families.
Former educator builds and donates handmade desks to UP! students
Posted: January 20, 2021
As the digital divide added to the crisis that was disproportionately impacting students and families of color, Eric creatively and generously put his talents and passion to work supporting students. In total, Eric crafted 17 desks by hand for UP! students, and Lisa complemented the donation by providing school supplies.
Volunteer spotlight – Nancy Curran
Posted: January 20, 2021
For over 20 years, Nancy Curran has demonstrated her dedication to Marin’s immigrant community by serving as the Canal Alliance Citizenship Class instructor. Through her volunteer service, she has helped, hundreds (if not thousands) of clients become U.S. citizens!
Marin County’s Census Response Rates Rise
Posted: January 14, 2021
A year before the 2020 census was to take place, Marin County granted the Canal Alliance funds to conduct census outreach across the county. The project lead, Stephanie McNally, the advocacy and policy senior manager at Canal Alliance, got to work with partners and nonprofits, especially in historically undercounted areas, to make a plan. Then the pandemic hit and it all went out the window.