The Skyline College Legal Clinic, located in the SparkPoint Center, aspires to meet the unmet demand for access to legal information by our community and to provide a hands-on classroom where students learn to engage, to listen, to help people help themselves, and to self-reflect, analyze, and be aware of their role in addressing inequity.<\/p>\n
Since 2014, under the direction of supervising attorney Maria Segarra, the Clinic has served over 100 individuals, about two-thirds of whom have been Skyline College students, faculty, or staff. \u00a0Maria and the students who work with her as paralegals-in-training have fielded questions about tenant\u2019s rights, immigration, and family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and domestic violence.<\/p>\n
The legal clinic was \u201camazing,\u201d said Tatiana Canas, a Skyline College student. \u201cIt gave me the opportunity to help real people with real life situations with the help of my classmates and my professor.\u201d \u00a0Roy Miles, 2015 graduate agrees: \u201cThe experience has not only been beneficial to me in helping me learn about the law, but I have seen how many people have gotten the information they needed to begin resolving their legal matter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since late in Fall 2016, the clinic has seen a noticeable increase in the number of students who come to the Clinic to ask questions about their immigration status and to voice fears of deportation. \u00a0In response, Skyline College directed the resources needed to increase Clinic hours by up to 200%. \u00a0This investment in our community allows the Clinic to increase its capacity to serve right now: our focus is on helping students stay safe and on track to meet their educational goals.<\/p>\n
As clinic supervisor Maria Segarra stated, \u201cAs an immigrant, I know what it feels like to be afraid, to be uncertain, and to worry about what the future holds. \u00a0I hope that together with the Dream Center, Sparkpoint, and Skyline College, we can provide a safe and caring place for undocumented students, families, and community members. We are here to serve.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clinic is open to students, staff, and the public. For appointments, go to www.tinyurl.com\/skylegalclinic<\/a>. \u00a0All consultations are free and confidential<\/strong>. \u00a0For questions or information, please contact SparkPoint at 650.738.7035.<\/p>\n