Grand Canyon University

“As a first-generation student, I have firsthand experience navigating the challenges of the immigration system and the limitations it imposes on education and career opportunities. I am eager to share my experiences with my peer fellows and to support them in overcoming their own challenges. I believe that by sharing my story, I can inspire others and foster a sense of community.“

Brophy College Preparatory

“As a first-generation American, I have witnessed firsthand the resilience and determination of my immigrant family. My unique perspective, shaped by my family's experiences, allows me to connect with others on a deeper level. I am passionate about sharing my story and advocating for immigrant rights.“

NFL Yet College Prep

“I have developed strong communication, presentation, and collaboration skills through my involvement in the CEBV fellowship. I am eager to apply these skills to address the pressing issues facing students. I am particularly interested in working with policymakers to create policies that support students.“

Mountain View High School

“I am committed to using my experiences to support and empower my peers. I believe that by sharing my story, I can foster empathy and understanding within the fellowship community. I am eager to learn from others, build lasting relationships, and work together to create a more just and equitable future.”

Brophy College Preparatory

“I bring a strong commitment to social justice and a passion for empowering marginalized communities. I am eager to collaborate with my peers to develop innovative solutions to pressing social issues. By sharing my knowledge and perspectives, I hope to inspire and uplift others.”

Arizona State University

“As a migrant Black woman, I have experienced firsthand the unique challenges and discrimination faced by immigrant communities of color. I have navigated the complexities of the immigration system, including the fear of deportation and the limitations imposed by my immigration status.“

Camelback High School

“As a first-generation Mexican-American, I bring a unique perspective shaped by my family's immigration journey. I am passionate about using my voice to amplify the stories of marginalized individuals and advocate for policies that promote equity and justice. I am eager to share my experiences and knowledge with my peers, and to learn from their unique perspectives.”

ASU Prep Downtown

“I am a dedicated and hardworking individual who is passionate about helping others. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact on my community. I am eager to collaborate with my peers to develop innovative solutions to pressing social issues.“

Arizona State University

I am eager to share my experiences and perspectives with my peer fellows, particularly those who may be facing similar challenges. I believe that by sharing my story, I can inspire others and foster a sense of community.

Phoenix College

“I am passionate about using my voice to amplify the stories of marginalized communities and advocate for policies that promote equity and justice. I believe that by sharing my experiences and perspectives, I can inspire and empower my peers.“

Bioscience High School

“As the president of the Civic Engagement Club at Bioscience High School, I have honed my leadership and communication skills. I believe that my skills in public speaking, community organizing, and youth engagement will make me a valuable asset to the Aliento Fellowship.“

Mesa High School

“I believe in the power of empathy and active listening, and I am eager to create a space where my peers can share their experiences and challenges without judgment. I am excited to bring my skills in empathy, active listening, and community building to the Aliento Fellowship. I hope to contribute to a movement that empowers immigrant youth and promotes social justice.“

Arizona State University

“As a first-generation American with a large extended family I am passionate about using my voice to advocate for immigrant rights and promote social justice. I believe that by sharing my family's stories, I can raise awareness and inspire others to take action.“

Grand Canyon University

“I am passionate about empowering immigrant youth and helping them overcome barriers to achieve their full potential. Through my experiences as a Resident Assistant and Latino Student Union Social Media Director, I have developed strong leadership and communication skills. I am skilled at building community, fostering inclusivity, and providing support to others.“

Mesa High School

“Aliento's Fellowship will be able to help support my journey in advocating for immigration and other problems in our society."“

Pima Community College

"I believe through what I learn in Aliento, I can further allocate resources in and outside of my college campus and push forward positive immigration reform in Arizona."

Bioscience High School

"Our junior class was introduced to the ‘Better World Project,’ a meaningful, problem-solving, and innovative project that Bioscience prompts each student. As I continue researching and creating interventions for the social issues I’m focusing on, I hope to receive leadership development and counseling and learn how to organize events that will bring awareness to my cause."

Arizona State University

"There are many things I am passionate about and a lot of injustice I see in my everyday life. Through this experience, Aliento will allow me to become a more capable person to perform my civic duty and help create a presence for those in need."

Phoenix College

"I want to leave an impact in the world, and I feel that this fellowship will give me the tools to work with my community."

Mountain View High School

"I believe that Aliento's fellowship program is an incredible opportunity to continue my advocacy for immigration and social justice."

Arizona State University

"Arizona's Future Fellowship will support my journey to advocate for immigration, social justice, and racial equity, creating a world that supports all people by giving me a platform as a young leader."

Camelback High School

"I hope this fellowship creates social consciousness about the struggles of immigration, social injustice, and racial inequity. I hope our voices and stories are heard to the point where laws and regulations are changed."

Bioscience High School

"I hope the Aliento Arizona’s Future Fellowship will support my journey by giving me the space and resources that I need to speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves."

Grand Canyon University

"My ultimate goal is to become an immigration attorney to help my community. Aliento Arizona’s Future Fellowship will allow me to gain skills, experiences, and more information about my community."

Mountain View High School

"I hope that Aliento Arizona's Future Fellowship will support me on my advocacy journey in my community because I hope to consider others' perspectives, problems of their own, and thoughts when deciding what career path I choose to follow. There are many branches of social justice to choose from, but I believe this fellowship will provide clarity."

Grand Canyon University

"I hope the Aliento Arizona's Future Fellowship will give me a platform to feel comfortable sharing my story and educating others. I hope to gain the resources necessary to learn how to engage with large groups of people and gather them to fight for one cause."

Student at GCU

“I believe that through this Fellowship and meeting more people who have the same aspirations, passions, struggles, can help me to learn that I am not alone, and in this way learn that I too can help others feel that they too are not alone.”

Senior at Brophy College Preparatory

“Formative experiences such as this motivate me to continue fighting the good fight. I know this is just the beginning and being a member of the fellowship opens the doors of opportunity.”

Student at GCU

"With Aliento Fellowship, I will be able to gain skills and strategies that I can help out with, giving resources for students to prosper with their degrees. Along with educating them and advocating for the government to help us and support us to citizenship and give us more resources to continue to make changes in our communities."

Senior at Bioscience High School

“Through the Aliento fellowship I hope to learn how to impact, strategize, and organize both events and people that will result in positive actions. I would also like to connect with the established influencers and their work to further my knowledge. By banding a group of talented students that have the same goal creates an energy that can solve social injustice.”

Senior at St. Mary Catholic High School

“I am looking forward to enhancing my work in social justice with Aliento's organizations that will constantly reaffirm my beliefs in the educational system and racial equality for everyone. Not only do I hope to grow more within my character by joining, but I also desire to add to the strong foundation that Aliento has molded for many young activists/allies like myself.”

Sophomore at Arizona State University

“As someone that aspires to be an immigration lawyer, it is important to know how I can advocate for my community. By being part of the fellowship, I will be able to get the experience that I need in order to best help solve the problems in my community.”

Senior at Mountain View High School

“Being able to be a part of this community is a real opportunity. To be able to join with the Aliento fellowship I hope to be a voice to those who can’t be a voice for themselves and do not have someone to advocate for them. With this new experience I hope to be a light to everyone around me with the new knowledge I will attain in this fellowship. It’s going to be a life changing experience to be surrounded with a team that cares about the same problems and injustices that others may not see.”

Junior at Arizona State University

“Aliento's Fellowship would help me gain more insight and a better sense of compassion for the community. Through my newfound experience in this fellowship, I would be even more motivated to pursue a career in law and advocate for issues affecting people of color. “

Senior at Mesa High School

I am an aspiring journalism and political science major. As a member of an immigrant family I hope to specialize my career and activism in advocating for immigration, social justice, and racial equality. I believe being a part of this fellowship will help me gain valuable skills that I can utilize in advocating for important issues.

Junior at Mesa High School

For years, I felt dispirited in the light of the world's inequality. But as I've gotten older, I've felt more sanguine. It would enthrall me to meet them with a better understanding of how to communicate with legislators – to those in power to achieve a world that is more fit for everyone. These are all crucial skills I could learn from the Aliento Fellowship.

Sophomore at Grand Canyon University

“I look forward to being part of the community that seeks change for the better. As an student, I faced the hardships that many of us go through on our own, and I want to be there to let others know that we are the community they have been seeking. I am eager to meet the other fellows & create long-lasting connections!”

Senior at Arizona State University

“I am very grateful and excited to be apart of this fellowship and advocate for a special community. This fellowship will allow me to be the change we need in our communities and raise awareness on important issues. I will be looking forward to making positive changes with great individuals.”

Senior at Carl Hayden High School

“To be part of this fellowship means I get to make a change in the community. I get to be involved with people who share the same values as I do. I look forward to be involved in dedicating my time to something that's going to benefit me and my community.”

Senior at Bioscience High School

”I saw how passionate everyone at Aliento is about advocacy. Through this fellowship I hope to develop my leadership skills and learn how to advocate.”

Senior at Mountain View High School

“I’m look forward to being apart of this Aliento fellowship because we all share the same desires and wishes to improve our community. I’m excited to dive deeper and share my passions, goals, and visions with others that have similar stories like mine.”

Sophomore at Northern Arizona University

“I have seen first hand the impact Aliento has had on creating equality. This fellowship will allow me to be a bigger part of this change. I want to take this opportunity to help my community grow and empower them to seek opportunities they thought were impossible, especially when it comes to receiving higher education.”

Freshmen at Grand Canyon University

“I'm excited to see how Aliento can shape the minds and morals of young students, young adults, parents and families. Aliento will support any young or old immigrants or families in mix status families, watching them grow and improve themselves through kindness, love and support that they normally can't get. This fellowship will allow me to support and help Aliento and many others with their struggles they face.”

Senior at Mesa High School

“As a person who comes from a family full of immigrants, I have seen the struggle that kids go through to be able to get a higher education. They are normally the smartest and most hardworking people I know. This fellowship will allow me to help them create a better and brighter future.”

Junior at Arizona State University

“Aliento is a safe haven that has given me the resources to build my leadership role. This fellowship will continue to teach me valuable assets when it comes to representing and satisfying my community's needs. I am excited to learn from amazing individuals, meet talented students, and seek a higher education for all!”

Senior at Bioscience High School

“As a daughter of immigrants, I’ve seen first hand the discrimination and hardships my family has experienced. Being a fellow, I hope to be an advocate for a better future for mixed status families.”

Senior at Mesa High School

“As a daughter of immigrants, I understand the hardships and challenges my parents go to. That is why I am very excited to join Aliento to advocate for this community, to help DACA recipients folks. I want to make other people’s lives better and help them achieve a brighter future.”

Junior at Academies at South Mountain

“Change and hope. That’s what this fellowship means to me. I want to be able to help and serve my community. Inspire others and be a part of something big. Empowering each other while seeking a higher education.”

Sophomore at University of Arizona

“As a fellow I hope to be a beacon of light for a community that feels left in the shadows. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants I have seen the hardships so many of my loved ones have had to endure and I know that through this fellowship I will be given the resources to turn Arizona’s future into a brighter one!”

Sophomore at Arizona State University

“I am very grateful and excited to be apart of this fellowship and advocate for a special community. This fellowship will allow me to be the change we need in our communities and raise awareness on important issues. I will be looking forward to making positive changes with great individuals.”

Junior at Grand Canyon University

“My favorite quote that I stand by is “ Be a voice to those who are left unheard .” I am huge advocate for Immigration Rights or in general Human Rights . I want to utilize my voice to its potential. This fellowship will allow me to impact this community for the better . Knowledge is power . To those who are and are here for a better future , I see you and stand with you.”

Senior at Brophy College Preparatory

“My community has experienced inequality due to our immigration and mixed family status. This fellowship will allow me to help not only the community that has helped me progress throughout my life, but communities all over that are affected by such hardships and tribulations.”

Senior at Xavier College Preparatory

“Everyone deserves the chance to be in control of their own future. I am honored to be a part of Aliento because I have seen the amount of self-less, tireless work that goes into Aliento's education process. With this fellowship, I hope to empower people in their origin stories and bring hope to those affected by their citizenship status.”

Freshmen at Arizona State University

“I've had the opportunity to witness Aliento's hands-on work in creating light for our community. Being able to take part as a fellow, will give me a chance to stand up in advocating what I am passionate about. I am looking forward to creating a change and becoming a voice for our future.”

Senior at Xavier College Preparatory
Ally- Mixed Status Family

“Participating in Education Day and organizing for in-state tuition empowered me to support this cause as an ally. There is a huge necessity for policy change in Arizona which I will strive to fight for with this fellowship.”

Junior at Mesa High School
Ally- Mixed Status Family

“I want to be a part of a change where every students receive the same treatment as their peers. This is a change I know Aliento will achieve.”

Freshman at Grand Canyon University Student

“I hope that the Aliento fellowship will give me the tools to grow and become a better version of myself every day… To help me learn how to heal and in the process help others do the same. I hope this fellowship teaches me all the things I need to not only create change but to empower others to do so as well.”

Freshman at Arizona State University
Ally- Mixed Status Familiy

“Participating in this fellowship will give me further opportunities to develop my leadership and be involved in problems that directly affect those I care deeply about. I’ve worked alongside the amazing individuals on the team before, learning as an mentee, but now I’m more than passionate to work as a leader and ally with Aliento.”

Senior at Brophy College Preparatory Student

“I know Aliento will provide me with a family that will push me to be better and provide me with a place to put my talents and drive to a better use. I will be given a powerful platform that will help me fight for what I am passionate about.”

Senior at Westwood High School
Ally - Mixed Status Family

“Through the fellowship, I will be able to learn more on how to help DACAmented mixed status families prosper during these troubling times. I am devoted to work alongside the Aliento fellows with the purpose of seeking a positive change to benefit my community.”

Senior at Bioscience High School

“Becoming a fellow at Aliento will give me the opportunity to reach out to my community and help them whenever possible with the resources that Aliento provides. I have seen how Aliento has advocated for Dreamers, which is something that I really admire, because being a Dreamer myself I know that there are people who will support me. “

Sophmore at Benedictine University Student

“Aliento is not just about giving equal access to higher education. It is about creating a community which one can rely on. It teaches students how to be leaders on their campus and in life. Aliento’s fellowship will help me grow as a leader.“

Freshwoman at Mesa Community College
DACA Recipient

“Having a voice to be able to make a change is what makes me passionate about helping those who are afraid to speak out, to be able to stand alongside with the students and families of the communities to advocate for higher education is what I’m willing to work towards.”

Senior at Metro Tech High School Student

“Education is essential for self and community development; We must stand together to defend against this great injustice and demand what is rightfully ours. As an individual who struggles and sees many suffer these same ordeals motivates me to continue the fight against the unjust laws that target specific individuals and because of borders, dissuade them from pursuing higher education.”

Senior at Xavier College Preparatory
Student Ally

“I am passionate about this work because I believe that students are our future and that everyone deserves an opportunity to receive higher education regardless of their immigration status. Through Aliento, I want to help in any way possible to take action for this issue as well as inform my peers and create a community of support.”

Junior at Brophy College Preparatory

"A person's right to an education is like their right to sustenance. When someone is denied their education, whether directly or indirectly, they are being denied the nourishment and strength they need to defend themselves against other forms of oppression. I am committed to fighting to give DACA students the opportunity they need to accomplish their dreams."

Senior at Mesa High School
Ally - Mixed Status Family

“Throughout my high school career, I've witnessed students having to seek alternative routes to further their education, making the transition from high school to college twice as hard. This is why I believe it is vital to educate community members and legislators on why in-state tuition should be accessible to every Arizona high school graduate regardless of their status.”

Senior at Tempe High School Student

“I remember seeing the students I looked up to work incredibly hard and yet, still had to pay out of state tuition. I am passionate about this work because I want to give my community this change they deserve. WE also have dreams, and goals. WE deserve this. “

Senior at Arizona State University
DACA Recipient

“Education is a crucial factor of shaping the future of generations to come. I believe education is something worth fighting for and I want to be part of the movement to ensure every Arizona student has access to higher education regardless of their Immigration status.”

Student at Bioscience High School

"Working with Aliento will allow me to expand my reach and will help me reach my goal of educating DACA students along with helping to increase the overall affordability of a higher education."

Student at Arizona State University

"I am passionate about advocating alongside DACA students for access to higher education because I know, from my experiences as a student at ASU, how critical higher education is in enabling us to attain our dreams."

Student at Westwood High School

"I believe everyone deserves an education, no matter their origin and status. It is critical that we educate the youth on this issue in order to create a support movement within our high schools."

Student at Brophy College Preparatory

"Having education is a human right, and although it is not being directly taken from us, it most definitely is in a very subtle and indirect way, through this opportunity I want to give my all towards this battle for the furthering of education for my fellow classmates

Student at Paradise Valley Community College

"Since I was a little girl, I have had the dream of serving people as a doctor. I always pictured myself in another country treating kids in pain due to poverty and war. It is a vision of serving humanity with my gifts and talents. Education is something I treasure with all my heart and whenever it is attacked I feel like my whole world is coming to an end. We need to let our love for an education and our nation keep us strong enough to keep fighting."