Hello!
Veronica Garcia and I have been friends since the 9th grade. We met in a broke high school in East Oakland, same high school in which we both currently work at. We've stayed friends through the years because Veronica loves to learn, loves to laugh, loves to help others and has a great sense of justice.
When Veronica was 10 she had an assignment to explore a career. She chose Law. Since then, she became fascinated with how law works, how it can help and hurt poor people. After graduating from high school, Veronica earned a full-scholarship to UC Berkeley, double-majored in Political Science and History to be a candidate for law school, and never stopped giving back to our community. As the first in her family to attend and graduate college, Veronica inspired her sister and brother to pursue higher education, as well as her parents to become avid readers and community organizers. Veronica gave up her comfortable desk job to work at our high school, with the highest need students and parents. With humility and enthusiasm, Veronica manages over 20 people on our site everyday. She has influenced young people by leading our extended day program for the past 3 years, including our Youth & Government program, by inspiring them to work hard outside the classroom, to care about the community, and by encouraging a sense of agency in all of our students.
Though our school, her family, and I, will miss her, we understand that her dreams are so important to fulfill. Veronica was once one of our students: sat in at least a dozen tagged desks, read out of ripped novels, and walked our noisy hallways. She deserves the right to chase her passion for law!
Your contribution will help Veronica move to Washington DC: moving expenses and room and board for the 1st month at Howard University. Help Veronica move from East Oakland to the East Coast!
Whether or not we reach our $5,000 goal, Veronica will still benefit. If 50 of us give $100, we will reach it in no time. If we give more or get more friends to contribute, Veronica will have money to come back during the Winter to visit her family or for books.
Bottom line, we need Veronica to go to law school. She will grow as a scholar. Become a litigator and an advocate for those who have no voice. We need her voice to be in the room in any law school, as a Mexican woman, a woman of color, an Oakland grown girl, a Spanish speaker, an immigrant, a woman.
This is a surprise, but you can pass the word to anyone interested in helping a young woman go to law school. Part of going is having money to move! If you're friends with her on Facebook, do not post it on your Wall! Do direct messages or emails. Share her incredible story with others.
Constantly inspired by Veronica,
Nidya B.