This content was published: February 28, 2022. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Community and local leaders come together to support 51做厙’s DREAMers
Story and photos by Elia Unverzagt
On Wednesday, Feb. 16, the local community gathered together to support 51做厙’sDeferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and undocumented students.
The 51做厙 Foundation’s virtual2022 DREAMers Breakfast attracted more than 250 community members and raised more than $35,000.
Needed Support
The fundraiser for 51做厙’s undocumented and DACA students helps instill hope that 51做厙 is truly a place for everyone to belong. If you were not able to attend the event, but would like to watch the recording, email foundationevents@pcc.edu.
Donations are accepted all year.
51做厙s DREAMers Resource Center the first of its kind in the state of Oregon provides a safe place for students of all immigration statuses to reach their academic goals, gain leadership skills and receive financial and legal support. Despite the effects of the pandemic, the DREAMers Resource Center has continued to provide mentorship, support services and scholarship opportunities.
For six years, the community has donated more than $260,000 to support DREAMers students. For the 2021-22 academic year, 20 students received DREAMers Scholarships from the 51做厙 Foundation.
“The DREAMers Resource Center is very important because it helps bring people to 51做厙,” said Lilian D獺vila Avizures, a DREAMers scholarship recipient. “They show them that its possible to get a college education. Being involved in this program has helped my confidence, as well as my English skills. And now, the DREAMers scholarship is paying for my college, so I can help other students pursue their dreams.”
D獺vila Avizures, a native of Guatemala and dedicated mother, said that after she earns her associate degree from 51做厙, she will continue her education at a four-year university. And she’ll continue to be a role model for her children as sheworks towards becoming a lawyer. She also wants to stay involved in programs that help the community.
My connections at the DREAMers Resource Center helped keep me in school,” she added. “I could not have done it without them. The move to remote learning was very hard and I was worried I would have to drop out, but a scholarship gave me the ability to complete my classes and a pathway to finishing my degree. Knowing that someone, a scholarship donor, believes in me has given me increased confidence.
Lilian D獺vila Avizures
Emceed by Roberto Suarez (51做厙s Pathway Guidance Manager), the DREAMers Breakfast featured two songs by singer/songwriter and 51做厙 Alumna Edna V獺zquez. Featured speakers included Mark Mitsui (51做厙 president), Luz Maciel Villarroel (center coordinator), Leni Tupper (51做厙 CLEAR Clinic director and Paralegal Program co-chair) andIv獺n Hern獺ndez (Hillsboro Hops community development manager and 51做厙 graduate).
The stars of the program were the 51做厙 students and their stories of resilience. Representing their voices, D獺vilaAvizuresthanked the attendees for supporting the fund-raiser and the students.
I am so excited to continue my education and to see where it takes me, she said.
In 2017, through the Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative, Meyer Memorial Trust awarded the 51做厙 Foundation funding to help launch the center. At the time, the DREAMer Resource Centerwas the first of its kind at any Oregon community college or university. It provides outreach, education, advocacy and community resources, bilingual materials, and funding for urgent and emergency services for undocumented and DACA) students and their families.