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Christian Basulto

$50

My name is Ivan S. Villasenor Madriz, and am an undocumented student from Mexico. As a spring admit to UC Berkeley, I am taking 12 credits at Allan Hancock College --a local CC in my city -- and reamin an active community member. I currently intend to pursue a  double major in psychology and sociology with a minor in education.

My life in the valley of Santa Maria was been a great journey of involvement and growth.  Through the support from many, I’ve completed more than 800 hours of community service since 2008 through church and youth led organizations; I was able to take a rigorous curriculum through AP courses, and graduated with a 3.8 GPA average. Apart from academics, my involvement in school and youth led organizations have been active. I presided 4 different clubs on campus, co-founded one, was vice president of Future Leaders of America Santa Barbara County-North, student representative for Santa Maria High School’s School Site Council, and was blessed to be the Boys State Candidate in 2011. Currently, besides being a full time student, I volunteer at St. John Neumann Church and at Santa Maria High School as a tutor.

As I reached the culminating years of high school, I was highly impressed by the lack of empowerment within our local youth, and therefore plan to work directly with our young community members. Although it is still a hope, I desire to open a house for youth in crisis –those who run away from home, or feel misunderstood, unsupported, and confused –offer support through counseling  and receive a kind “slap from life” and deliberately return home, or at least the is the expectation.

Being undocumented presents challenges, however some prove to be more puzzling than others. The lack of a SSN limits my ability to receive employment under legal circumstances and also eliminates my qualification for federal aid and many of the scholarships available –such as the Gates Millennium Scholarship . That is the reason I am reaching ou t to you, I am asking for a donation that will help me reach my goal of $9,500 –my estimated budget for this upcoming spring term at UC Berkeley. Tuition is about $7,500 and I expect to need about $2,000 for rent and other costs, such as books.  Your donation will not only help me, but it will also benefit the younger generations as they will see that college is not impossible regardless of any limits or troubles imposed. 

Knowing that I cannot just sit here and receive donations, I will fund raise here in my community. However, I still count on your donation to help me pay for school expenses. 

Thanks! 

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