Action
We both think that Mexican immigration is a problem that needs to be recognized. Our action plan is to present some of our research to various classrooms here at Social Justice High School with the help of Quintiliano Rios, a member of Enlace at Little Village High School. We plan to also present different organizations that focus on helping undocumented students, laborers, e.t.c get the help they need. Doing this, we hope to achieve our goal of raising awareness that this is a serious topic that people should know about.
Action Plan= Interviewing; Quintiliano Rios Perez from Enlace. He is the post-secondary coordinator
1. What where your academic struggles you encountered in school?
Many Immigrant students tend to struggle with the language. When I was in 6th grade I was in a bilingual program for 3yrs (6-8 grades). Once I made my transition to Kelly High school, the counselor placed me in bilingual classes. By law an immigrant student had to be placed in a bilingual class for 3 yrs. I did not want to be in bilingual classes because I felt it was going to prevent me from going to college. So I kept on insisting on my counselor until one day he decided to put me in English classes. I was always a good student regardless the fact that English is my second language. I am good at reading, writing and pronouncing verbally words in English. I was good at school, but many of my classmates prior college did not show the same effort because they felt overwhelm by completely understanding the language and had the mindset that they couldn’t go to college because of their status. I kept on striving in high school and was able to be in AP and Ivy classes.
2. Did you ever face discrimination in school or outside of school?
My school was very safe and also I did live in an area which was majority Mexican. During my time at DePaul it was different because I was the only inner city Latino because the rest where from the suburbs. There was one particular moment in college where we talked about immigration and I felt awkward because we had an open discussion and one of peers commented that “if a person crosses the border illegally they are still illegal immigrants”. But no knew I was an immigrant besides a few professors. I’m very lucky for the people who I’ve meet because they were very helpful in my life.
3. What motivated you to become part of Enlace?
My position is post-secondary coordinator and I like how am able to help undocumented students. CPS acknowledges help towards immigrants by having my position here at little village and also another like me at Farragut. Additionally I like the mission that Enlace try’s to seek out which is improving the quality of life for little village residents.
In high school I worked in a program similar to Enlace and this job showed me what I wanted to do which was get an education and return to help my community.
I actually got a scholarship named “Egan Hope Scholars” that was based on a priest who was asocial activist. It helped pay for my tuition. I went to school to get a bachelor’s degree in Communication Remedial and with a minor in Latino Communication Remedial. I was going into advertising but I wanted to help people so I joined Enlace and happy that I get paid for helping people.
4. Do you feel as if you impacted students?
I don’t like to feel that the only reason a student succeed was because of me. I see myself as a resource to help any student in this school. My goal is to help a student get to college because it’s very hard to pay for college significantly the fact that many come from a low income family.
5. Do you know any other organizations that help immigrant workers?
Yes, for example; I know a place in Pilsen called the Chicago Legal Clinic which helps immigrants in general or with legal questions like “my boss discriminated me” and getting injured in the job. Also Latinos Prograsando on 28th S Harding. Every Tuesday From 5pm to 8pm people can go and ask lawyers legal question.
Here in Infinity HS, the Chicago Legal Foundation with Mr.Kass, every Wednesday after school he helps people with any legal question because he is a lawyer.
1. What where your academic struggles you encountered in school?
Many Immigrant students tend to struggle with the language. When I was in 6th grade I was in a bilingual program for 3yrs (6-8 grades). Once I made my transition to Kelly High school, the counselor placed me in bilingual classes. By law an immigrant student had to be placed in a bilingual class for 3 yrs. I did not want to be in bilingual classes because I felt it was going to prevent me from going to college. So I kept on insisting on my counselor until one day he decided to put me in English classes. I was always a good student regardless the fact that English is my second language. I am good at reading, writing and pronouncing verbally words in English. I was good at school, but many of my classmates prior college did not show the same effort because they felt overwhelm by completely understanding the language and had the mindset that they couldn’t go to college because of their status. I kept on striving in high school and was able to be in AP and Ivy classes.
2. Did you ever face discrimination in school or outside of school?
My school was very safe and also I did live in an area which was majority Mexican. During my time at DePaul it was different because I was the only inner city Latino because the rest where from the suburbs. There was one particular moment in college where we talked about immigration and I felt awkward because we had an open discussion and one of peers commented that “if a person crosses the border illegally they are still illegal immigrants”. But no knew I was an immigrant besides a few professors. I’m very lucky for the people who I’ve meet because they were very helpful in my life.
3. What motivated you to become part of Enlace?
My position is post-secondary coordinator and I like how am able to help undocumented students. CPS acknowledges help towards immigrants by having my position here at little village and also another like me at Farragut. Additionally I like the mission that Enlace try’s to seek out which is improving the quality of life for little village residents.
In high school I worked in a program similar to Enlace and this job showed me what I wanted to do which was get an education and return to help my community.
I actually got a scholarship named “Egan Hope Scholars” that was based on a priest who was asocial activist. It helped pay for my tuition. I went to school to get a bachelor’s degree in Communication Remedial and with a minor in Latino Communication Remedial. I was going into advertising but I wanted to help people so I joined Enlace and happy that I get paid for helping people.
4. Do you feel as if you impacted students?
I don’t like to feel that the only reason a student succeed was because of me. I see myself as a resource to help any student in this school. My goal is to help a student get to college because it’s very hard to pay for college significantly the fact that many come from a low income family.
5. Do you know any other organizations that help immigrant workers?
Yes, for example; I know a place in Pilsen called the Chicago Legal Clinic which helps immigrants in general or with legal questions like “my boss discriminated me” and getting injured in the job. Also Latinos Prograsando on 28th S Harding. Every Tuesday From 5pm to 8pm people can go and ask lawyers legal question.
Here in Infinity HS, the Chicago Legal Foundation with Mr.Kass, every Wednesday after school he helps people with any legal question because he is a lawyer.