The Unity Zone hosted its 3rd Annual UndocuHustle and Market on March 21, with over
200 students, staff, and faculty in attendance. The first part of the event consisted
of 10 vendors on the palm pathway represented by Undocu, BIPOC, and women-owned businesses.
Through sponsorship of the Associated Students of Norco College, over 200 students
and employees were provided meals.
During the afternoon of UndocuHustle, a panel of local UndocuEntrepreneurs with successful businesses in the Inland Empire shared their experiences and advice to students with questions. Local UndocuEntrepreneurs Maritza Gomez (Alumni of Norco College), owner of MG Customs, Daniel Duran, owner of Knox’s Barbershop in Corona, and Aldo Cruz and Gerson Cortes, owners of UndocuScholars LCC, participated. They discussed their experiences navigating the startup phase of owning a business, the resources they used, grants, and other non-profits that helped.
Throughout the day, the Legal Service Provider, TODEC, provided one-on-one meetings with students in support of DACA renewals. UndocuHustle and Market is focused on showing undocumented students how to take control of their careers and earn money regardless of their legal status through Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is a way for anyone, regardless of their immigration status, to start their own business or work for themselves.
Entrepreneurial career pathways do not require work authorization and include options such as starting a business, independent contracting, freelancing, or joining a worker cooperative. Undocumented individuals without work authorization can make money through entrepreneurship using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN). According to the American Immigration Council, there are over 797,300 undocumented entrepreneurs (in California) who have their own businesses, generating $23.6 BILLION for the economy. Business owners can generate income, support themselves and their families, and have a meaningful career.
During this event, the Unity Zone facilitated a brief survey to attendees in order to capture impactful data of students, further demonstrating the need for expanded support to undocumented and mixed-status students at Norco College.
During the afternoon of UndocuHustle, a panel of local UndocuEntrepreneurs with successful businesses in the Inland Empire shared their experiences and advice to students with questions. Local UndocuEntrepreneurs Maritza Gomez (Alumni of Norco College), owner of MG Customs, Daniel Duran, owner of Knox’s Barbershop in Corona, and Aldo Cruz and Gerson Cortes, owners of UndocuScholars LCC, participated. They discussed their experiences navigating the startup phase of owning a business, the resources they used, grants, and other non-profits that helped.
Throughout the day, the Legal Service Provider, TODEC, provided one-on-one meetings with students in support of DACA renewals. UndocuHustle and Market is focused on showing undocumented students how to take control of their careers and earn money regardless of their legal status through Entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship is a way for anyone, regardless of their immigration status, to start their own business or work for themselves.
Entrepreneurial career pathways do not require work authorization and include options such as starting a business, independent contracting, freelancing, or joining a worker cooperative. Undocumented individuals without work authorization can make money through entrepreneurship using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or an Employer Identification Number (EIN). According to the American Immigration Council, there are over 797,300 undocumented entrepreneurs (in California) who have their own businesses, generating $23.6 BILLION for the economy. Business owners can generate income, support themselves and their families, and have a meaningful career.
During this event, the Unity Zone facilitated a brief survey to attendees in order to capture impactful data of students, further demonstrating the need for expanded support to undocumented and mixed-status students at Norco College.