By Mayra Flor Castro and Armando Vazquez-Ramos
On Sunday, May 1st, The California-Mexico Studies Center (CMSC) successfully launched the first fundraising event in support of The Marco Antonio Firebaugh Dreamers Study Abroad Scholarship Fund.
The kick-off event took place at Don Chente’s Bar-Grill and Lounge in downtown Los Angeles, where about 180 Dreamers and supporters were in attendance. Attendees included both immigrant rights allies and Dreamers who are interested in the California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program.
The California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program offers Dreamers the unique opportunity to study in Mexico and reconnect with their roots. For two weeks, students are able to immerse themselves in a comprehensive language and cultural educational program at the CETLALIC Institute in Cuernavaca.
While one of the purposes of the event was to raise funds to cover costs for Dreamers to participate in the organization’s study abroad program, it was primarily a celebration and memorial of Marco Antonio Firebaugh’s legacy and his landmark AB-540 legislation.
Marco Antonio Firebaugh’s family made the event special.
Among Firebaugh’s contributions was the breakthrough Assembly Bill 540, that was signed into law on Oct 12, 2001 by Governor Gray Davis. AB-540 allows undocumented students in California to pay in-state tuition, at public colleges and universities rather than the out-of-state rate for non-residents. This groundbreaking legislation has been replicated at 20 other states of the union.
The event featured a special presentation by Councilman Jose Huizar’s aide Jesse Leon to the California-Mexico Studies Center, with a resolution from the Los Angeles City Council, which was signed by the entire L.A. city council in recognition of Marco Antonio Firebaugh’s legacy.
Councilman Jose Huizar’s office also presented Marco Antonio Firebaugh mother and daughter with a special commendation of recognition to honor his legacy and legislative career.
The program also featured moving testimonies by Stephany Martinez, Alvaro Castillo, Laura Ochoa and Sandra Lopez, recent participants that shared their reflections on the Winter 2015-2016 study abroad experience from December 17, 2015 to January 11, 2016 with the program. They also spoke passionately on how Marco Antonio Firebaugh’s legacy has made a lasting impact on their life’s as undocumented students.
Sandra Lopez believes that it is important to keep Firebaugh’s legacy alive because without AB-540, thousands of Dreamers would not be able to achieve a higher education. Lopez said, “He was the stepping stone and first one to help undocumented students. Without him, education was far from sight.”
Upon reflecting on the study abroad program, Lopez said,
“Programs like the CMSC’s Dreamers Study Abroad Program are important because it allows us, Dreamers, to reconnect with our historical roots, families and culture. We walk through life not knowing who we are.”
Lopez added, “Experiencing our culture, our birthplace, and seeing our family members, even if it’s at their graves, helps us gain that lost soul we didn’t have a chance to properly mourn”.
The CMSC seeks to reach their goal of raising $62,500 to take at least one group of 25 students to study abroad in Mexico this summer. At the event about $8,000 were raised.
It is estimated that it costs the organization $2,500 per student. Costs covered by the sum include, days spend at the hotel in Mexico City upon arrival, three meals per day for the days they are studying, homestay and their courses taken at CETLAIC.
The Marco Antonio Firebaugh Dreamers Study Abroad Scholarship Fund Honorary Committee is headed by California State Supreme Court Justice Cruz Reynoso and numerous honorary co-chairs, including Senate President Kevin de Leon, Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, Senator Ricardo Lara, Senator Tony Mendoza, Congressman Alan Lowenthal, L.A. City Councilmen Jose Huizar and Gil Cedillo, among others.
Help the California-Mexico Studies Center make the Dreamers Study Abroad summer program a reality!
