Sandra Castro

From Front Lines to Human Rights: Get Me to Columbia University

<p>My name is Sandra Castro Solis. I have been accepted to the Human Rights Studies program at Columbia University. I am asking for the financial support of everyone who is willing to assist in funding my two-year education at Columbia. With&nbsp;a Masters&nbsp;in Human Rights Studies&nbsp;I will continue to organize and work to establish policies that aid the community during this human rights violation crisis.&nbsp; I would like to continue to work with Puente in order to build a sustainable movement that goes beyond defensive strategies to create autonomous spaces and programs that heal and empower our communities for generations to come. &nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>For over five years I have been with the Puente Movement, a grassroots organization that has been at the front lines fighting back against the anti-migrant climate that exists in Arizona.&nbsp; The struggle in Arizona has taught me a lot about my education and how important it is that our society continues to raise young people of color who can access higher education while remaining deeply rooted in their communities. I have grown up in the struggle, completing my undergraduate tenure while witnessing the human rights violations perpetrated on my community by xenophobic law officials.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>During my tenure at Arizona State University, I was stripped away from scholarships and even work-study when organizing actions against pro-hate, anti-human rights politicians such as Joe Arpaio, Jan Brewer, and John McCain. This act was one that the university wanted to do for years, I was stripped away from the access to my funding as a way to attempt to silence me and suppress the student activism that was being birthed at ASU. The acts of &ldquo;intimidation&rdquo; nor the threats of several deans have not stopped me from both organizing against hate and for dignity and from attaining my education at ASU. Although I was successful in gaining a BA in History and two minors in Women &amp; Gender Studies and Justice Studies, I completed it with the accumulation of student loans.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Through my hard work and dedication, I can say I have the privilege&nbsp;of being accepted to Columbia University. Although this is a great accomplishment, I have several difficulties that await me when it comes to funding my education. Columbia University is a private, multi billion-dollar university. Because I am going for an MA (no PhD is offered), there is no way of receiving 100% tuition support from the university. I wish to complete my MA from Columbia with little to no debt because I want to return and continue being a community organizer, a non lucrative but rewarding calling with Puente, the organization that I have been with since day one.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Please help contribute to my education at Columbia. Every dollar helps and is greatly appreciated. If you cannot provide financial support right now please think of me in the future and help now by sharing my story to others who can.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>Thank you,</p> <p>Sandra Castro Solis&nbsp;</p>

About Me

• 3 Campaigns From the launch to the finish line, these were the campaigns you ran to make something happen for your entrepreneurial, cause-related, or creative passions.
• 0 Comments Engagement is the name of the game when it comes to crowdfunding. Sharing your thoughts on campaigns can help campaigners and strengthen the Indiegogo community.
• 0 Contributions Whether you contributed a little or a lot, this number signifies the times you helped support someone else’s idea, project, or goal.