Oakes Community Building

Connecting the community one step at a time

Corre la Voz

Developing our future

Puentes

Closing the gaps in immigrant justice for Santa Cruz

Community Mapping

Research for community development

Programs

Oakes Community Building

Develop community and skills for thriving in difficult times through these campus-based courses.

Puentes

Community engagement courses to learn practical skills in outreach, advocacy, and legal aid.

Corre la Voz

Work with kids on multi-modal learning activities (drama, research, movie-making, text) in a bilingual environment.

Community Mapping/We Belong

Learn qualitative research skills in a participatory action framework, and contribute to insights on a real issue with community partners.

The Oakes CARA Program

Each Oakes service learning course combines classroom study and analysis with real community work.  Students, faculty, and community partners develop agreements to work on projects together, and in the process work on understanding, accepting, and celebrating diversity, and expanding our potential to create justice. The program gives Oakes students the opportunity to learn about their home on campus and in the Santa Cruz region through community and civic involvement, and to improve their communication, research, and advocacy skills.

   CARA Certificate

To support and honor students’ investment, Oakes offers the CARA Certificate.

Find out more

The CARA Program strives to fulfill the Oakes College mission to promote positive social and political change. The Herman J. Blake Endowment for Oakes Service Learning honors the founding Co-Provost of Oakes College and carries his legacy forward.
I feel that in working with such a diverse group of people towards immigrant justice, I have not only helped to benefit the overall Santa Cruz community (immigrant and not) but also grown immensely as an undocumented person in higher education.
Oakes CARA Program Participant