2009 COIN Take Action Interns - Civic Opportunities Initiative Network (COIN)
Part of the New World Foundation

COIN seeks to strengthen community leadership, establish inter-generational and inter-ethnic collaboration, and stabilize community-based organizations as strong anchors for development in low-income communities.

By developing a strong relationship with organizations in their own communities, young leaders will have an opportunity to incorporate active citizenship into their education, learning about service, advocacy, organizing, and what it takes to build effective community organizations.

Participating students will receive mentoring and academic support, and will be guaranteed full scholarships at a COIN consortium of public and private colleges and universities who are enthusiastic about supporting students both financially and with staff services and programs on campus.

http://newwf.org/special-projects/civic-opportunities-initiative-network...

Ana A., Belmont High School

My name is Ana A. and I am 16 years-old. I come from an immigrant family. My family came from Mexico to the United States of America to be able to have a better education with the possibility to go attend college and the opportunity to prosper. Both of my parents were born into poor families in Michoacán, Mexico and did not have the opportunity to finish high school nor were they able to attend a university. In my family, I will be the first to graduate from high school and attend college. I am the oldest daughter in my family and for that reason I to go to college and to set an example for my younger brothers and encourage them to attend college as well. My life goal is to make a difference in my community and open doors to students like me.

I am excited to join the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) as a COIN Fellow. With this opportunity, I will be able to work with other students with my same goal and will work hard to go to college because this was the opportunity I’ve been struggling to achieve. I consider myself fortunate to be part of CHIRLA because it will make a difference in my life. I am confident CHIRLA will help me achieve my goals and aid me in my struggles. I know I am part of the first generation in my family that will graduate from high school, graduate from a university, and transform our community.

Maria D., South Gate High School

I was born in Guadalajara Jalisco in 1993. I have two sisters which I care for very much. When I was twelve years old I moved to Los Angeles with my grandmother and mother to live with my sister because we were experiencing many family problems. One of my sisters had been living in Los Angeles with my grandmother for three years so she did not have to go through this move from Jalisco to Los Angeles. Six months after our move to the United States I found out on the 26th of December (2006) that my father Ernesto Delgado committed suicide for unknown reasons. I was a 7th grade student at South Gate Middle School when this happened. Two years later after my father’s suicide my grandfather died due to a heart attack. In addition to this my other grandfather had just passed away four years before this from diabetes

Now I am sixteen years old and live in Cudahy, CA. with my mom, grandmother and two younger sisters. I am excited to be a COIN Fellow with Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA). I want to become a stronger leader in my community by collaborating with CHIRLA in everything I can. Hopefully I’ll be able to help other people who have experienced such traumatic incidents like I have. That’s why I became involved with CHIRLA to help people in need. I want people to overcome traumatic situations and triumph. I know I’m not the only one who has gone through such challenging and tough times without any help. That is what motivates me to help other people over come their problems. I know how hard it can be to solve your problems especially when you do not have help. This is who I am today and I am compelled to help others that have experienced such traumatic incidents in their lives.

Evelin D., Belmont High School

I lived my early childhood in a small town in Mexico and attend pre-k and kinder in a nearby school. When I finished kinder, my family decided to move to Mexico City and so we did. I went to school there and finished first grade. At this time, my father decided to come to the United States seeking a better life and my mom was determined not to leave him alone. Both of my parents migrated to the U.S leaving my sisters and I without parents. Three years later, my parents decided to reunite the family and send for all of us in Mexico. When I arrived in the U.S. and quickly enrolled in school. I struggled through my first year immensely but with dedication and determination I was able to graduate elementary school successfully. With the same success I graduated middle school.

Everything was taking shape around me and my life wasn’t an exception. In my fist year of high school I decided I would graduate high school and go to college against all odds. I let my parents know about my future plans and all they said, “It’s impossible.” I was expecting their support but instead I realized that education was not a priority to my parents. Since I’ve had limited involvement in academic activities and sports teams.

I am excited to have the opportunity to be a COIN Fellow with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) because this is my opportunity to grow as a person and in return give back to my community and young girls who may be in a situation like mine. I won’t let any obstacles stand in my way of my goals to graduate college and with a degree in Psychology or Medicine. I strongly belief in myself and with that I will achieve the impossible.

Jose F., Belmont High School

Tania M., Community Harvest Charter High School

Maria M., Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High School

My name is Maria M. When I was only 19 months old my life changed, drastically. I was burned with hot water, in Sonora, Mexico. I think that, that is how I appeared here, magically, in the United Stated of America, alone with my mother and the little hopes we had left, looking for good medical assistance. I am now fifteen years old attending Animo Jackie Robinson Charter High School. My dream is to become a physician because I want to help burn survivors achieve a happy and successful life. I want to help innocent people in need like others have helped me.

I am thankful and excited to be a COIN Fellow with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles because I know this organization will help me in many different ways. CHIRLA will be one of the building blocks for the foundation that I want to create. I will learn to work with many different people and help the community. It will not only help me mentally but also developing leadership skills and improve my academics. I thank CHIRLA for investing in my dream.

Jesse P., Southeast High School

My name is Jesse. I come from an immigrant family who has experienced the struggles of migration. I joined the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles because I liked the idea of becoming an activist and advocate for immigrants. In my first months as member I contributed to making change by participating in educational street theater, rallies, and workshops.

I am currently a cabinet member for the Wise Up Club in Southeast High School. When I share information with someone about CHIRLA, immigration reform, and immigrant students I feel great joy when inviting them to join us in the fight. I strongly believe that we can achieve social change by working together by waking up, standing up, and wising up all.

I am happy to be a COIN Fellow with CHIRLA because this program will help me improve my academics, graduate from college, and give me the tools to help people. I hope to become a general surgeon one day so that I may come back to help individuals and families life a long and healthy life.

Jose T., Edward Roybal Learning Center

My name is Jose and I was born in Mexico City in1993. My family and I came to the United States when I was 4 years old after my parent’s divorce. I live in with my mom and sister. It has been really hard for my mom to support both of us but she has overcome many obstacles to provide us with what we need.

Now, I feel it is my turn to give back to her and my community. I have taken on the challenge of fighting against this unjust immigration system in order to give my mother and community the same opportunity as others. As a 16 year old activist I encourage everyone to fight for what they think is right and just. I am an active member of the Wise Up Club in Edward Roybal Learning Center.

I am happy to be a COIN Fellow because this program will help me improve my academics, become a Psychologist, and help in the betterment of my community. I am proud to say I am a member of CHIRLA.

Sean T., Belmont High School

My name is Sean. I am a proud Filipino. My family and I emigrated from the Philippines to the United States of America for the different opportunities that this country has to offer. Opportunities that may have not been possible, back home. With this in mind, I work with determination and diligence to achieve my dreams as well as to provide my family with a better sense of accomplishment. My hopes and dreams have always been the source of my strength; strength that supports my family, strength that carries my heritage and strength that evokes the struggles and hopes of people with dreams that drives them to succeed.

Being a COIN Fellow with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA) is an opportunity that will make my goals a step closer. Though succeeding on a dream is the greatest accomplishment, this opportunity is an achievement that portrays the gifts of this great country. It is in my hopes and dreams that not just I but the rest of the immigrant community shall be provided with such opportunities. In between my struggle and my dreams, is hope that one day, we shall become a greater force in the immigrant rights movement.

Alan V., Belmont High School

I name is Alan. I currently attend Belmont High School, and it’s both an honor and a privilege to say that I am an ambassador of the LAAMPS academy. I come from a humble family consisting of my mom, dad, my little brother Kevin, and my baby sister Allison. I enjoy reading books which one as a reader can learn important life lessons about his or herself, such as “Night” by Elie Wiesel and “The Catcher in the Rye” by J. D. Salinger. I love to practice the art of creative writing, I believe that words are like music notes, and when placed properly a true symphony is created.

My career aspiration is to become a Cardiologist. I am interested in the heart for its symbolism and power in the functioning of the body. The heart works hard to provide life to the rest of the body; and since the heart is the hardest functioning muscle, it represents the kind of person that I am. It’s the perfect way to give back to the community by helping those in need and by saving lives. Only by helping one another can we bring down the walls of hate and segregation.