Elev8 Students Discuss Immigration Reform with Rep. Luis Gutierrez
On Saturday, August 7, 2010, students representing all five Elev8 Chicago schools led a town hall on immigration reform. The town hall featured Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Democrat from Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. Over 200 people attended the event, which was held at Orozco Academy, an Elev8 school in Gutierrez’s district. The town hall called particular attention to deportations and their negative effects on families and children. Elev8 students encouraged those in attendance to stand up for immigration reform that would unite families and offer a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the United States. “It’s really important to help each other out,“ said Cris Mar Mendoza of Ames Elementary. Congressman Gutierrez fielded questions on the impact of immigrants on economic recovery, and the potential development of a larger social movement to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Gutierrez also praised the students’ depth of knowledge of the issues, noting, “It’s great to see young people examine their reality.” Speaking to the multiracial coalition that Elev8 students represented, Congressman Gutierrez said, “I didn’t get to meet people who were non-Latino until I went to college. It’s truly a transformative experience.” 
Rep. Gutierrez speaks to the crowd. Shanequa Washington, a graduate of Reavis Elementary School, echoed the importance of multiracial coalitions, explaining “It involves everyone, not just Latinos.” Ms. Washington also spoke first-hand about some of her undocumented friends who will struggle to afford college since they are ineligible for federal financial aid. Parents and community members at the town hall said they were motivated to spread the word. “This is the first time I came to an event like this,” said Jamilliah Brown, a mother from Reavis Elementary with children in Elev8. Asked what she had learned, she said, “A whole lot to take back and share with the people in my community about immigration. The kids, that’s my biggest concern, because every child needs their mother or father.” While many support programs for youth focus on supports and services, Elev8’s empowerment component sets it apart, noted Sandy Trujillo, consultant to The Atlantic Philanthropies, which funds Elev8 across five sites nationally. “Elev8 is about more than services—it is transforming into a vibrant empowerment and community initiative.” 
An Elev8 Chicago student shares his feelings.
|
There is some evidence that participants in school-based out-of-school-time programs “did their homework more consistently and, in some cases, achieved higher grades in school.”
Learn More
