New Dreamer Center hires coordinator

by Kasandra Arreola

On Jan. 26, the new Dreamer Center was added to the Balabanis House. Up the staircase to the left, you’ll find the office of Georgina Celda Salvarrey, who stepped into her new role as the Dreamer Center coordinator that same day. 

The Dreamer Center will be a hub for students for financial aid, health, food and legal resources. 

The Dreamer Center will act as an extension of other cultural resources on campus and provide additional aid for undocumented and mixed-status students.

“I’ve always leaned toward causes where people are needed to fight, so it was logical for me to apply to this job,” Salvarrey said.

Salvarrey is originally from Monterrey, Mexico and spoke about the stark contrast in culture and identity.

“It’s a radical change in all aspects,” Salvarrey said when describing her move from Mexico to Humboldt. “I had to convert myself into a woman of color here, whereas over there, I didn’t have to mark my race.” 

Yaneyry Delfin Martinez, the director of Scholars Without Borders (SWB), has been one of the advocates for the Dreamer Center since she began her Master’s program at CPH in 2024.

“It’s been something that students, specifically undocumented students and mixed status students have been pushing for.”

“Scholars Without Borders has already done all of this work. The Dreamer Center will collaborate with them to expand the community they’ve already created,” Salvarrey said.

Shairy Jimenez, research and event coordinator for SWB, urges students to find community.

“Right now with the political climate and all the things we see on social media, it’s really easy to feel isolated and targeted at times,” Jimenez said. 

Jimenez added that SWB and the Dreamer Center work closely with other cultural centers on campus to ensure there is support for all students.

“If you don’t feel comfortable coming to the Dreamer Center, there are many places to go,” Jimenez said.

One of the key objectives Salvarrey has for the new center is to create a certification program or training for faculty and staff that would give them the opportunity to learn the experiences and needs of undocumented and mixed-status students. She hopes this will offer more awareness and sensitivity in a time of political uncertainty.

“All classes need to be political,” Salvarrey said. “When one professor opens the door to be human, it makes you want to cry.”

Salvarrey highlights the need for more care to foster a deeper sense of support and community.

“It doesn’t have to affect you just for you to care about humanity and life,” Salvarrey said.

With the uncertainties of funding for programs that help marginalized communities, Salvarrey described her position as “never guaranteed,” but hopes to make a lasting difference. 

“I want to try to establish something here so that whoever comes in the future can continue doing it.”