In September 2012 the Anhelo Project was
founded as a non-for-profit organization whose mission is to address the higher
education opportunity gap for low-income, underrepresented minority students in
the Chicagoland area. We began our work in 2009 by establishing the Dream Gala
Committee to raise money and initiate a scholarship fund. This scholarship has
assisted in decreasing the financial barriers that many students experience in
pursuit of their education. Through our efforts, the Dream Scholarship is available
to undocumented students who reside in Illinois and attend an institution of
higher education within the City of Chicago. As of today, we have awarded
$30,000 in scholarships.
As a grassroots organization The Anhelo Project
finds innovative means to provide an opportunity for undocumented students who
find it difficult to finance their college education. We believe that everyone
deserves an opportunity to accomplish one’s educational goals, regardless of
legal status or economic circumstances. The Anhelo Project seeks to make a
positive impact in the lives of young, talented college students. Our efforts
aim to increase the college graduation rates among first and second generation
youth.
For the past four years, we have strived
to bring together a diverse group of talented and driven activists who
volunteer their time to organize the Annual DREAM Gala, our most successful
fundraising event. During the event we also announce our scholarship recipients
in order recognize some of our community’s outstanding young adults. At the end
of the event, guests are encouraged to stand for change!
