Why I Stay Involved
My name is Esveidy Rodriguez Melendez, a dedicated student at Grand Canyon University. I am currently an incoming senior majoring in Justice Studies with a minor in Spanish, in hopes of pursuing a career in the legal field to support the immigrant community. Beyond my academics, I love spending time with my family, whether that’s trying out different restaurants, going shopping, or watching a movie.
Initially, I became involved with Aliento through the Arizona’s Future Fellowship, an experience I almost missed out on because I doubted my skills; yet, I took the risk and applied. Becoming a fellow was nerve-racking, as it was the first time I would share my story and execute 3 events on campus. However, it was an experience that not only informed me about the immigrant community but also taught me how to advocate and spread awareness on campus about the obstacles faced by the immigrant community in Arizona. Through this fellowship, I felt a sense of belonging and support. I was given the opportunity to grow as a leader with the tools and guidance provided by Aliento, which enabled me to advocate for and expand awareness about the immigrant community. I was also able to create a safe and inclusive space for students on campus, regardless of immigration status.
I witnessed the hardships my community had to overcome, whether it was the fear of deportation during SB 1070. Not only were close family friends deeply impacted, but so was my community, which motivated me to strengthen my skills to help the immigrant community. While I was driven to pursue a career in the legal aspect of immigration, I realized my lack of knowledge of immigration and the skills I had to defend and advocate for it. However, my desire to become a voice for my community members ultimately inspired me to search for an opportunity that would educate and enhance my skills, which I found was Aliento’s Arizona Future Fellowship. I discovered that Aliento’s mission aims to serve my community, which motivated me to get involved and spread awareness on my campus.
Since becoming an alum, I have continued to be involved with Aliento, whether through their nonpartisan Aliento Votes campaign in 2024 or as a Nurture intern during the Dream Summer Fellowship this summer. During the nonpartisan Aliento Votes campaign, I phone-banked and canvassed throughout Arizona to educate voters about the proposition and the harm it could cause to the community. This experience enabled me to strengthen my communication skills and view rejection as an opportunity for growth, which has given me the courage and confidence to address misinformation on campus with effective approaches. As a Dream Summer intern, I created guides for the immigrant community during these uncertain times, and I also supported executing the programming of events such as the Youth Organizing and the Arizona’s Future Fellowship Orientation. This provided me with helpful strategies to successfully execute large events on campus, while also educating me on the history and forms of organizing that I can use to spread awareness through these uncertain times. Once a fellow, always a fellow. The opportunities and guidance I received from Aliento motivated me to continue uplifting others, regardless of their immigration status, within my campus and community. The learnings and skills I gained through the fellowship have enabled me to apply them in the clubs I’m actively involved in, where I continue to share resources and create a safe and inclusive space for students. As an alum, I’m focused on staying involved, supporting, and serving the community by continuously advocating for the immigrant community.
As a child, I remember listening to my community members' endless questions about deportation, their rights, immigration laws, and what to do in certain situations. Given the limited resources, many of their questions were answered by the radio station or local neighborhoods, but these answers were never entirely accurate. The lack of accurate information and resources, combined with the immense doubts and concerns in my community during these uncertain times, has motivated me to continue strengthening my skills and being there for them. Ultimately, my goal is to raise awareness and provide information and resources that can give my community hope, clarity, and assurances.
My invitation to future fellows is that while you’ll transition to fellow alumni, your journey as leaders to advocate, inspire, and create a safe space for others, regardless of immigration status, is not over yet; it’s just beginning. Take the skills and information you’ve learned and continue to show courage and uplift the community. And always remember, being a fellow means always belonging to the Aliento family even after the fellowship.
