What is the DreamSF Fellowship?

The DreamSF Fellowship is a paid San Francisco-based leadership and professional development program for immigrant students and aspiring professionals who seek to gain real-world experience with social justice change-makers in the Bay Area. Fellows are paired with local immigrant-serving community organizations and gain hands-on experience in direct services, advocacy, and immigration law careers while growing a network of mentors. Fellows receive professional mentorship and attend weekly enrichment seminars to support their growth as leaders and community advocates.

How long is the Fellowship?

The DreamSF Fellowship is an 11 month fellowship with a 6 month fellowship "track" option. The fellowship will begin in late June or early July and conclude in December (6 month track) or May (11 month track) of the following year.

What are the program requirements?

You can apply to the DreamSF Fellowship if you are: - 18 years of age or older - Living in the Bay Area and able to work 16 hours a week in San Francisco - Available 20 hours a week, on a flexible schedule. All of our host organizations operate on standard business hours, Monday-Friday. - Available from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm every Friday for the weekly enrichment seminars. No exceptions. You also need to be currently enrolled, planning to enroll in, or recent graduate from an educational program such as a 2 or 4-year university or trade school. You must also: ​ - Commit to a six-month or year-long fellowship - Be invested in working with and supporting immigrant communities. - Have a strong connection to one’s Bay Area immigrant community. - Be fluent in a second language - Have a flexible schedule to accommodate 20 hours a week. - Have obtained a high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. - Fluency in a second language is preferred, but not required.

Will I get a stipend?

Yes. All DreamSF Fellows receive a monthly stipend of approximately $1,500. Exact stipend amounts will be discussed when accepted into the fellowship program.

Do I need my high school diploma or GED to apply?

Yes. All DreamSF Fellowship applicants must have obtained their high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent at the time of application.

Do I have to be a college student to apply?

The DreamSF Fellowship is for immigrant students and aspiring professionals. In order to apply, you also need to be currently enrolled, planning to enroll in, or recent graduate from an educational program such as a 2 or 4-year university or trade school. Recent graduates, community college students, and trade school students are all encouraged to apply, if all other requirements are met.

Do I need to have DACA to apply?

No, the DreamSF Fellowship is open to all eligible individuals, regardless of their immigration status.

Do I need to have a social security number or ITIN?

No, you do not need a social security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to be eligible for the DreamSF Fellowship.

What are the resume requirements for the application?

- A one-page resume or CV is preferred for your DreamSF application. - All resumes or CVs must be submitted in PDF, doc, or docx format. - Your resume or CV must be submitted with your online application. - Any resumes or CVs emailed will not be accepted and your application will be considered incomplete.

Where can I get help with my resume?

College Career Centers can support you in creating your resume or CV. Check out: - San Francisco State University's Career Services & Leadership Development. - CCSF's Career Development Center has a great guide book.

How do I submit my application?

Review this Apply page of our website and carefully read through the FAQs and eligibility requirements. What you will need The DreamSF Fellowship application you will be asked to provide basic personal and professional information as well as the following:

• Responses to 3 short answer questions of about 250 words each and 3 essays of about 500 words each. Short answer questions and essay topics are about your professional skills, goals and interests; your connection to immigrant communities; and your personal growth and development.
• Your resume or CV. You will need to upload this document in PDF format. If you need help writing a resume, your school's career center can help.

Can I save my application and return to it later?

SurveyMonkey does not have a 'save' button. However, the web browser you are using is able to save your application. You can return to the same web browser and computer to continue an application you have started. Do not delete your cookies or history. Example: use your personal laptop and open your browser (like Safari/Chrome) and do not delete cookies or history between the times you work on your application.

What is the selection process like?

1. We will email you about your application in mid-May 2021. We will contact you using the email you provided on your application, so use an email you will check frequently. 2. If you are selected as a semi-finalist, you will have a group and individual interview over Zoom. 3. If you are selected for the DreamSF Fellowship, you will start at the end of June or early July 2021. Specific start times will be provided upon entry into the program. During this process, please do not call our office number to inquire about the status of your application, unless otherwise instructed.

Where will the interviews take place?

The DreamSF Fellowship program is observing the latest COVID-19 health and safety guidances on public gatherings. Unless otherwise communicated, we will be conducting all interviews virtually, over Zoom.

How will I be placed with a community organization?

Fellows are paired with local immigrant-serving community organizations and gain hands-on experience in direct services, advocacy, and immigration law careers and more. These organizations are called host sites. All host site placements are made through a mutual matching process, which takes place in July. Placements are determined in four phases: Phase 1: All fellows virtually visit all the host site organizations accepted into the program. Fellows will meet potential supervisors and colleagues and have an opportunity to ask questions about the projects fellows will be assigned at that organization. Phase 2: Both fellows and host sites submit their top choices to the DreamSF Program Coordinator. Through a matching process, virtual or phone interviews are scheduled between host sites and fellows. Phase 3: Fellows and host sites conduct several virtual or phone interviews and both parties submit a final their top choices.
Phase 4: The DreamSF Program Coordinator matches fellows with a host organization based on the aforementioned process.

Do all fellows get placed at San Francisco organizations?

Yes, all host site organizations that participate in the fellowship are located in San Francisco. Fellows commute to their site and are expected to budget for their own transportation costs. Travel will not be reimbursed.

Does the DreamSF Fellowship provide travel stipends?

No, there will be no compensation for travel. The DreamSF Fellowship program is observing the latest COVID-19 health and safety guidances on public gatherings. Unless otherwise communicated, all activities with host sites will be remote (virtual).

What are the enrichment seminars?

Weekly enrichment seminars are a virtual space for fellows to come together, foster comradery, network, and encourage each other’s development. Guest speakers are invited to present on a variety of topics to support fellows as they navigate their personal and professional development, and fellows conduct peer-led leadership sessions. Currently, all enrichment seminars are being conducted virtually over Zoom. Fellows are required to work 16 hours a week at the host site, and spend 4 hours every Friday from 9:00am- 12:30pm.

Are weekly enrichment seminars are required?

If you have a conflicting class or work shift, it is your responsibility to adjust your schedule to accommodate the seminar.

What will my schedule look like as a fellow?

All DreamSF Fellows will work directly with their host site to create a unique schedule based on mutual availability. Unless otherwise communicated, all work with the host site will be conducted remotely (virtual). All fellows are required to identify 16 hours a week to meet and work with their host site during standard business hours, Monday-Friday, 9:00 am - 6:00 pm. Most host sites are not open on weekends, so do not assume you will have this option. All fellows are required to attend the weekly seminars on Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. In addition to regular hours, there will be special events such as immigration workshops, outreach events and more which you will be required to attend on weekends or evenings. More information will be provided upon selection into the program.

How will my hours and skills be tracked?

DreamSF Fellows must submit weekly reflections tracking hours and skills developed in order to receive their stipend.

Are fellows hired by their host site after the fellowship?

Fellows are encouraged to network with their host site. If an open position at an agency becomes available, DreamSF alumni can decide to apply through the organization’s hiring process. No position is ever guaranteed through this fellowship. In addition to the work at host sites, there are many opportunities to network and job search with the DreamSF Alumni Network.

Who can I contact with more questions?

For additional questions, please contact the Office of Civic Engagement & Immigrant Affairs at: Email: civic.engagement@sfgov.org Phone: 415-581-2360

I need support with my application

Do you need extra help with your application? Do you have a question we didn't address in the FAQ? Email dreamsfoutreach@gmail.com and we will get back to you within a business day!