THEDREAM.US

TheDream.US embodies the value of a college education, something that all young people should have access to no matter where they were born or how they arrived in the United States. With more than 75 partner colleges, TheDream.US is the nation’s largest college access and scholarship program, which strives to provide DREAMers with the opportunity to receive a college education. Immigrant youth who came to the U.S. at a young age and have no path to obtain legal status are at a great disadvantage as they do not receive federal aid for college and have limited access to state aid. TheDream.US helps provide this access to DREAMers, who because of their immigration status, lack the access to financial resources that are needed in order to attain a college degree.

As a partner college with TheDream.US, FIU is committed to addressing the daunting challenges and barriers that DREAMers face when trying to get into college and throughout college. FIU’s Carlos A. Costa Immigration & Human Rights Clinic has also made an impact on FIU DREAMers by assisting them with immigration-related issues such as reviewing their individual cases. Each partner college, including FIU, has an on-campus scholar advisor, whose primary role is to build and cultivate meaningful relationships with each scholar as they navigate through his or her college journey.

The role of each collegiate partner goes beyond assisting students to receive a college education and expands into how the economic and social strength of a community can depend on the strength of its education system. Located in a community with a large immigrant population, FIU understands the dire need to administer help for these students that not only affects the betterment of the individual, but also affects the entire Miami-Dade County area as well. Program Director for TheDream.US, Gaby Pacheco, is a longtime advocate who believes in the impact that DREAMers have on our nation’s present and future. “DREAMers want nothing more than to put their amazing skills, talents and motivation to work in helping our communities and nation prosper,” she says.

With partners like TheDream.US, FIU is able to uphold its dedication to provide DREAMers with the financial, moral and emotional support they so gravely need. According to Don Graham, co-founder of TheDream.US, “FIU has been a sensational partner for us. South Florida is so fortunate to have a university like FIU that remains affordable and gives its students a great education and a good start in life.” Through leadership development, internship/mentor opportunities, and more resources, FIU and TheDream.US remain steadfast in making sure DREAMers receive the opportunity to grow and become engaged members of our community.

Top (left to right): Don Graham, Gaby Pacheco