Events

“Education is a human right. However, to me completing my higher education has been an upward struggle. My community’s financial support has been crucial in lessening the burden of being a first generation college student. They remind me that my struggle is part of something bigger; it’s part of creating the just world so many of us envision.” – Anonymous Immigrant Student

March 24, 2009

Dear Colleague,

The Achievement Trust and The Greenlining Institute along with a cohort of UC Berkeley undergraduates would like to invite you to get involved and invest in our communities at the:

Underserved Scholars Fundraiser
May 6, 2009 from 6 to 8pm
The Greenlining Institute
1918 University Ave Berkeley, CA

The purpose of this convening is to raise awareness regarding the difficult issues students from immigrant families face gaining access to higher education and completing their degrees. The number of underserved immigrant students is lagging far behind, particularly at four-year colleges, universities, and graduate schools. Even after accepted to a four-year college many of these first-generation college students drop out. These students have no other choice but to postpone their dreams because in addition to having rigorous academics, family obligations, and working excessive hours these students must deal with unprecedented financial burdens.

Many of these students are also excluded from receiving state or federal financial aid due to the complexity of citizenship and residency requirements. For example, there is Brenda R., a 3rd year Chemistry major who writes, “besides dealing with academic stress, students with no federal financial aid like me, have to carry an extra bundle of stress on our back when trying to figure out ways to pay for tuition fees, rent, food and come up short all the time.”

Innovative models to help create specific financial solutions must be employed to support the dreams of these hardworking aspiring professionals, many from minority communities. Supporting the academic achievement of these future leaders MUST be a community effort, if they are to succeed.

The fundraiser will host a silent auction, complimentary appetizers and drinks, and an art exhibition to help raise funds for scholarships, stipends, and professional development workshops. Current UC Berkeley undergraduate students will contextualize the unique challenges of underserved students and voice their unique experiences of trying to successfully graduate from college.

We hope you will join us in listening to the stories of these aspiring students, supporting their dreams, and assuring the future of our communities! Sincerely,