John,
This is a season for reflections, and in my first year as staff I’m thinking about the role that Immigrants Rising has played in my life. More than 10 years ago, Immigrants Rising was key in me getting my start as an organizer and learning how to harness digital mediums to create change.
In 2010, I got my start organizing for the DREAM Act in rural Kentucky. In a digital landscape that was vastly different from the one today, I was knee deep in Google searches when I stumbled upon a clip of a film about the DREAM Act that a small Bay Area organization had produced, and it inspired me to want to organize an event that would call attention to me and other DREAM Act-eligible students in Kentucky.
As a poor, undocumented student organizer, I didn’t have money to pay for resources. I shot my shot and emailed the organization asking if I could screen the film on my campus. Luckily the organization offered to send me a free copy of the DVD - no questions asked beyond my mailing address.
That organization was Educators for Fair Consideration — now Immigrants Rising.
I am now the Digital Director for Immigrants Rising, weaving narratives about our communities on our own terms. This year, we've produced 33 authoritative, well-researched resources on topics ranging from online contracting opportunities in high demand to Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS).
In 2020, we’ve reached hundreds of thousands of people nationwide with our resources amidst the COVID pandemic. I see myself in their journeys, as they wander through challenges unforeseen. Just as much as I needed resources 10 years ago, the undocumented young people of today need them too. From budding entrepreneurs to future digital directors, our resources change the course of lives — I can share firsthand that Immigrants Rising’s resources impacted mine.
Can you pitch in $33 so that we can continue to produce more resources that transform the lives of undocumented young people?
In reflection and gratitude,
Tony
Tony Choi
Digital Director
Immigrants Rising
----FORWARDED MESSAGE---
From: Tony Choi
Subject: request for resource
Date: March 16, 2010 at 11:20:07 AM PDT
To: Admin @ E4FC
To whomever it concerns:
My name is Tony Choi, and I am a student worker at the Berea College Black Cultural Center. To coincide with the march in Washington, D.C., other campus organizations and our center are organizing a weeklong series of events to inform the plight of the undocumented students in the United States.
I am attaching a schedule of events for your reference.
I had already put in a request just minutes ago on your website, but I felt that it was necessary to send an e-mail as well. I hope to hear from you soon regarding the film.
Sincerely,
-Tony Choi |
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Support Immigrants Rising
We build our work upon community support — and we are grateful to be in community with you through these challenging times. And as we progress towards 2021, we are continuing to our 14 year commitment of transforming lives of undocumented young people towards empowerment and fueling an equitable future. Please join us and make a donation today!
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