Can a 23-year-old first-generation Mexican-American woman lift her city out of poverty?

"I want to show people what happens when you believe in something," says Giselle Martinez.

One in three. That’s the ratio of people living below the poverty line in Newburgh, New York. And most of them come from Black and Brown communities. Newburgh is one of the most impoverished cities nestled in the expansive Hudson Valley. Its neighboring river towns have steadily climbed their way out of poverty. But Newburgh is far behind.

Giselle Martinez believes in her city and has bold plans for its future. That's why she's running for city council. At just 23-years-old, Giselle would be the youngest council member in Newburgh history. But not everyone in Newburgh believes in Giselle. Her age and ethnicity have caused an outbreak of racism and xenophobia.

As Giselle has said, “So goes Newburgh, so goes America”

The United States is at a crossroads and a possible political breaking point. From federal immigration camps at the US-Mexico border to social protests due to the killing of Black people across the country, the nation faces a public reckoning, upheaval, and urgent crisis. 

Giselle has personally encountered the effects of immigration-xenophobia and police violence. In fact, that’s one of the many reasons she decided to run for office. Many, if not most, of these national problems, will be hurdles Giselle faces in Here to Stay. And because of this, the film will bring these national crises into direct conversation.

Here's a statement from Director and Producer Jared Peraglia:

I was born and raised in the Hudson Valley. Its diverse culture, people, and stories continue to have an unwavering impact on my life. And from this, I’ve always been under the belief that some of the best stories to tell can be found in our own backyards. In fact, my documentary Washington Street explored the attempted move of a homeless shelter that faced phobic opposition in the small riverside city of Peekskill. What I uncovered by making Washington Street is that Peekskill was dealing with an issue much larger than itself. And from this, I’ve learned the power of film, specifically documentary, to rally communities, encourage conversation, and ignite progress.

Newburgh, and Giselle, are only one hour up the river from the town where I grew up. Learning about Giselle’s campaign, I was taken by the pure passion she has for her city and was inspired to learn she shares a love for the people of the Hudson Valley and the mutual belief in making it a fairer and more equitable place. As our ideals aligned, the notion to make a documentary seemed obvious. And with that, Here to Stay was born. Not only is Giselle’s story timely in national conversations about race and identity, but in fact, I believe her story is a vital microcosm to understanding the scarred American condition, how to face fear, and deliver hope.

Documentary production is expensive and often serves as a deterrent to creatives looking to produce work. By meeting our goal, production costs for Here to Stay will be greatly alleviated. We'll be able to tell Giselle's story at the high-quality level it deserves to be told.

By funding our project, you aren't just fueling the future of young talented filmmakers. You are also helping to bring a story to the big screen that does not typically get told. It's no secret that Latine stories are underrepresented in the world of film and television. By funding Here to Stay to bring Giselle's story to life, you are helping people across the country see themselves on screen, and in Giselle's case, in leadership positions.