Introducing our 2020-2021 Aliento Fellows!

After completing our most competitive application process yet, we are ecstatic to announce that we have selected our third cohort of ALIENTO Arizona’s Future Fellows!

ALIENTO is thrilled to welcome eight student-leaders from three major universities and five high schools across the valley.

Our fellows exhibited resilience, vulnerability and a deep commitment to transforming trauma into hope and action in their applications and we are proud to welcome them onboard. They are outstanding undocumented and mixed-status youth leaders in the pipeline to higher education!

We commend our fellows for stepping into leadership and joining the ALIENTO family during times of unprecedented uncertainty and anxiety for our community amid COVID-19. Though the fellowship structure will look differently this year, we are just as committed to their leadership development and growth.

Here are our 2020-2021 Aliento Fellows!

Featured

Abril Valenzuela

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.”

Britney Vera

Junior at Mesa High School

Ally- Mixed Status Family

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

Daniela Chavira

Freshman at Grand Canyon University

Undocumented 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.”

Diana Quintana

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.”

Diego Acevedo

Senior at Brophy College Preparatory

Undocumented 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.”

Emely Saenz

Senior at Westwood High School

Ally - Mixed Status Family

“Through the fellowship, I will be able to learn more on how to help DACAmented, undocumented, and 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.”

Jael Camacho

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. “

Juan Carlos Cisneros

Sophmore at Benedictine University Mesa

Undocumented 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.“

We can’t wait to learn, grow and transform with you! Join us in welcoming these outstanding young leaders to the ALIENTO family! You can help them along the way! Donate $5, $10, $25, or $50 so we can continue to provide leadership development, organizing trainings, and provide the tools for our fellows to become leaders in their communities!

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AlientoAugust 18, 2020aliento fellows, fellowship, Arizona, Undocumented