St. Didacus Church’s Office of Youth Ministry in partnership with Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. Immigration and Refugee Department conducted a free bilingual information session at St. Didacus on Aug. 23 regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals process. The event at the Sylmar parish was attended by more than 225 community residents including 125 potential “DREAMers” interested in applying with Catholic Charities for the Deferred Action process. The detailed workshop information was provided by Catholic Charities staff member Jeanpaulo Gonzalez. In July, Catholic Charities began assisting DREAM Act eligible youth — young, undocumented immigrants (DREAMers) — to gain work permits and be safe from deportation. Concurrently, St. Didacus parishioners began mobilizing to inform the parish community and Northeast San Fernando Valley residents regarding the Deferred Action process and about the Aug. 23 workshop. Outreach was provided through the parish bulletin, flyers and e-mail blasts to community organizations, L.A. Mission College, and Cal State Northridge. St. Didacus Youth Ministry provided volunteers to assist with the workshop including greeting ambassadors, clerical support and refreshments. Youth Ministry Peer Leaders created “Welcome DREAMers” posters throughout the parish campus. “The session was an overwhelming success and showed the need to continue working with Catholic Charities to provide Deferred Action information and application assistance to the Northeast San Fernando Valley community,” said Moises Carrillo, event organizer and St. Didacus parishioner. Gonzalez of Catholic Charities called the St. Didacus Deferred Action workshop “by far the largest and best organized event that Catholic Charities has participated in thus far. I was very moved by the event.” All young DREAMers, eligible under the Deferred Action Process, who were brought into the United States undocumented, will be given the opportunity to integrate themselves and fully contribute to society, said Carrillo. A follow-up Deferred Action group application process will be held at St. Didacus for those attending the event sometime in September. Further information on the Deferred Action Process can be provided by contacting Catholic Charities at (213) 251-3411.{gallery width=100 height=100}gallery/2012/0831/dream/{/gallery}