I am a 20-year-old student, from Durango, attending the University of Colorado in Boulder. I am writing to you in hopes of gaining support for a leadership program I am involved in at CU called INVST Community Studies.
I was born to a socially conscious, middle-class family in an idyllic neighborhood by the river. My childhood was filled with mountains, support, and security. As I left Durango, I realized these comforts are privileges not everyone shares. My passion for social and environmental justice increases as I awaken to the harsh reality of disparity and oppression within the United States, and yes, even in idyllic Durango.
My privileges afford me the opportunity to explore the complex issues of race, gender, and class, holding me accountable to do everything in my power to learn and work for justice. I feel lucky to have found a group of students who also believe in the possibility of a just and sustainable world.
My INVST cohorts, consisting of 12 other students, are taking a month out of our summer to explore immigration, human rights, and economic justice issues. On the Economic Justice Summer, we will journey to Topeka, Chicago, Detroit, and Omaha with different community organizations that will host us.
With the nonprofit Mexico Solidarity Network, for example, we will learn about grassroot actions to protect undocumented families and individuals. We will also learn about refugee resettlement programs, food justice, and detention facilities. We will then meet with politicians in Denver to discuss immigration policy.
I hope to take the knowledge from this summer experience to continue educating and empowering youth to prevent interpersonal and sexual violence while promoting justice in my community.
We are fundraising to support the students who do not have the financial means to travel without community collaboration. To donate, or learn more, visit: https://giving.cu.edu/fund/invst-community-leadership-program-summer. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Meredith Nass
Boulder
