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Gratitude Brings out the Fullness of Life

This year, we asked Immigrants Rising family members to share what they’re grateful for this year. Click on each person’s image to read their message.

We give thanks for the enormous contributions of immigrants.

“Little is more extraordinary than the decision to immigrate,” wrote John F. Kennedy sixty years ago. We thank our family members, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and students for making the unimaginable decision to come to the United States, for braving the often difficult journey to get here, and for giving up so much to join us at this, our, American table.

We give thanks for immigrants.

During this holiday season, please consider MAKING A DONATION to Immigrants Rising so we can continue our work to realize the dreams of these and so many other undocumented young people.
 

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This year, I’m thankful for the opportunity to work with local entrepreneurs that are working in the shadows struggling to be free yet motivated to succeed.

In the past year, I’ve been able to grow my professional development skills and continue to developing into a successful social entrepreneur. I have learned so much in the past two years by surrounding myself with a team of highly educated mentors and action-based educators. I am currently a Chicago Public Health Department Certified Food Sanitation Instructor and State of Illinois Exam Proctor.

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for supporting my efforts to build a sustainable entrepreneurship program model for low-income food entrepreneurs in Chicago. Without the support of like-minded educators, my dream of owning a shared-kitchen incubator would not be within reach. Immigrants Rising has significantly increased my opportunity to pay it forward and help others in seek guidance and assistance, just as I have received from the Immigrants Rising family.

During this holiday, I hope each of us takes a moment to reflect upon someone who helped us get where we are today. As we continue to push forward, reach back and pull someone else up with you.

Read about Maria

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This year, I’m thankful for all the support, warmth, and inspiration provided to me by my friends, family, and community. You’ve keep me motivated, laughing, and happy, while showering me with tremendous light. I’m grateful to know such inspiring people willing to make positive change in and for our communities!

In the past year I’ve been able to experience enormous personal and professional growth thanks to my fellowship with Immigrants Rising. I’ve gained the strength to apply to medical school as well as to empower other immigrants to believe in their dreams. As I interview at medical schools across the country, I cannot believe I am almost there! I remember the younger me clinging to a light that I could not yet see. I remember fearfully asking my mom how I would ever be able to attend college without papers. I wish I could tell the younger me not to be scared, not to feel limited by my legal status.

I’m grateful to Immigrants Rising for providing me with a safe, healing space to develop my leadership, while creating bonds with amazing people whom I’m happy to call my family. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to uplift high school students in Concord, the city I grew up in. It’s so nice to be back within my own community doing work that is meaningful to me, helping a new generation of immigrants rise and thrive. I’m sure the experiences and relationships I’m creating right now will make me a better doctor and health advocate for our communities in the future.

I wish each of you to be reminded of all the light, warmth, and love that surrounds you. I look forward to seeing you all again with a heart full of hope, food, and everything else in between that makes life worth living. Happy holidays!

Read about Luis

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This year, I’m thankful for my friends and family. They make me strong. They teach me how to be better every day. I’m thankful for our time together this year.

In the past year, I became a full-time student for the first time. I’m grateful for all of my mentors, educators, classmates, colleagues, neighbors, friends and my Immigrants Rising family for cheering me on during this process. The celebrations continue to this day.

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for constantly finding new ways to empower us. What’s truly unique about Immigrants Rising is how it has embraced, supported and celebrated my professional and educational journey in such a way that I want to do the same for others. Their vision is my vision. I’m honored to be a part of this community that has nourished me so much.

Every time I meet new Immigrants Rising family members, I know their stories and goals will resonate with mine. Immigrants Rising is a space where we keep making life-long genuine connections. There’s heart, commitment and creativity in all we do. I know we will continue creating opportunities for ourselves.

During this holiday, I wish each of you, my Immigrants Rising family members, time to rest and reflect on everything you’ve accomplished this year. I am grateful to know you. My best wishes to you, your families and the communities you inspire each day.

Watch Marithza’s Video about her journey to college.

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This year, I’m thankful for my family, friends and my second family in the U.S who have all supported me throughout these challenging times.

In the past year I’ve been able to join an innovative healthcare startup that tackles the rising cost of healthcare. I’ve also been able to incorporate more mindfulness into my life and, for the first time, visit Yosemite and appreciate the beauty of the nature surrounding me.

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for continuing to empower the immigrant and undocumented community through the power of mentorship, entrepreneurship, and scholarships. When the president signs a proclamation denying the right of immigrants to seek asylum, we need to contribute to organizations that stand up for immigrant families.

During this holiday, I hope that each of you, my Immigrants Rising family members, continue to persevere—with strength and joy—in the face of adversity. Rise above fear and keep yourself grounded in community.

Read about Steve’s story

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This year, I’m thankful for my family—both my biological and chosen family—for helping me get through my last year of law school and study for the bar.

In the past year, I’ve been able to graduate from law school, pass the bar, and become the first DACAmented person admitted to the Connecticut bar.

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for helping me embrace my immigrant identity, introducing me to my second family, and providing me with the financial and professional support I needed to fulfill my childhood dream of becoming an attorney.

During this holiday, I wish each of you, my Immigrants Rising family members, a relaxing and love-filled holiday.

Watch Denia’s Video about turning her dream of becoming a lawyer into reality.
Watch Denia’s Video about learning to have pride in her immigrant heritage.

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This year, I’m thankful for the resilience of our communities. Whether it’s coming together to show solidarity for our most marginalized groups, or mobilizing in record turnout numbers to elect so many women/minority/LGBT/diverse U.S. representatives, I can feel the energy from our community and it empowers the work I do. This is what hope feels like, and I’m thankful for it.

In the past year, I’ve been able to graduate from the University of California, Irvine School of Law and start my advocacy work. I also got a new puppy named Asher, who is the light of my life!

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for giving me the opportunity to do work I believe in. My youth was shaped by laws and policies that made me feel powerless and limited. Now, as the Legal Policy Associate, I have a chance to turn the tables around and advocate for the exact laws and policies I needed when I was young. From working on national legislation advocacy to responding to individual inquiries from undocumented youth, I feel that I am doing exactly what I want and am where I am meant to be.

During this holiday, I wish each of you, my Immigrants Rising family members, a happy and warm time of love, joy, and celebration. We have accomplished so much together! Together, we will rise. Happy holidays!

Read about Samuel

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This year, I’m thankful for having life and health in order to achieve my life projects. I’m also thankful for having the support of my daughter and opportunities to continue being her role model.

In the past year, I’ve been able to fulfill one of my greatest dreams: to continue studying. Even though I started my educational journey four years ago, it was not until winning the scholarship that I could finally see the possibility of reaching my goals. Very soon I’ll be able to transfer to a four-year university. Thank you to Immigrants Rising for the financial and moral support which has lessened the financial worries that used to make me think about leaving school.

This holiday I wish each of you, my Immigrants Rising family members, all good things in life. We are part of this wonderful organization. We are friends, but also family.

My grandpa used to say, “Gratefulness unlocks the fullness of life.” I am grateful to have you by my side, so we can all live life to its fullest!

Read about Lorenza

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This year, I’m thankful for the opportunity to attend college, especially one as amazing as UC Berkeley. I can’t believe I will be graduating in just six months. The knowledge, skills, and memories I have gained throughout my college experience will stay with me for the rest of my life. I will always be blessed to have been given life and will always thank God for having put me on earth because I know he did it for a reason: to serve others.

In the past year, I’ve been able to accomplish many of my goals, such as graduating from community college and transferring to my dream school, helping my community with translation, tutoring ESL and math, and mentoring college students.

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for supporting my education with this amazing scholarship. I plan on using it to continue taking advantage of all of the opportunities that UC Berkeley has to offer me. I have never been more motivated to make others proud—my family, myself, and my Immigrants Rising family!

During this holiday, I wish each of you the blessing of good times and good health. I hope all good things in life are yours throughout the entire year. I wish you success in everything you do with your family, for yourself, and for your community. God bless all of you. I am very grateful that I met you at the perfect time and the perfect moment in my life.

Read about Pancho

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This year, I’m thankful for my mother who taught me to be an independent and hard-working woman and to always persevere in my dreams; even from afar, she makes sure I don’t forget who I am. I’m thankful for being able to share this journey with friends I love so much, and for all the people who see me as a human being and not an illegal alien. Finally, I’m thankful for being alive, joyful, sane and healthy.

In the past year, I’ve been able to feel more confident about my future because I’ve had the privilege of being a full-time college student at a great university. I was also given the opportunity to be an intern at an established biotech company.

I’m particularly grateful to Immigrants Rising for giving me a family and a safe space to be myself. Thank you for changing my life. You brought me out of a dark place of fear and ignorance and showed me I can achieve my dreams despite my immigration status. Thank you for believing in me and giving me the confidence to pursue my dreams. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the financial and emotional support and the access of information I’ve received from Immigrants Rising.

During this holiday, I wish each of you, my Immigrants Rising family members, the gift of time. May you have lots of rest and downtime because I know how intensively you’ve been working, overachievers! I wish you health, courage and strength to keep moving forward on this journey. I wish you opportunities to keep shining and inspiring everyone. Finally, I wish you abundant love and kindness because you have filled my life with so much of your love and kindness.

Read about Alice’s Story

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