Sponsorship Program – Student’s Reflections
By: Amy Swank, Parent & Family Office
Last year our office began partnering with OCM, a care package program that allows parents to purchase care packages for their students during final exams. OCM sends a percentage of the proceeds from these packages back to our office, which we deposit directly into our newly established “Sponsorship Fund.” Students who are involved in service or activism and need extra support are identified by their advisors, who request sponsorship on their behalf. Meet two of the students we sponsored this year:
My name is Brittany Clark and I am currently a junior studying Political Science and English. This past November, I had a special opportunity to actualize a dream I had planted my freshman year that I would never have been able to see through, if it were not for the financial assistance and support from this office. Inspired by the Jesuit tradition of being with and for others, two professors and a club, I began a campaign advocating for positive immigration reform pieces, specifically the DREAM Act. It started as a simple Facebook page to open dialogue from both positions of the legislation, writing every essay I could about the bill and wearing t-shirts that La Raza Latina’s club made for DREAM week. It was my first attempt at political advocacy and steadily continued throughout my GU career. This past semester, the DREAM campaign picked up momentum at Gonzaga with the help of CCASL programs, La Raza Latina’s DREAM Week and University Ministry’s involvement in the Ignatian Family Teach-In. It was everything I dreamed of happening on campus! People were finally becoming aware and coming out to support DREAM advocacy events. It was amazing!
My next move was obvious: to represent the Zag community on a larger scale in Washington, D.C. However, upon my acceptance to attend the Iganatian Family Teach-In in D.C., I was faced with a serious challenge– I could not afford the trip. Then I was informed that the Parent & Family Office would sponsor my travel! This news was part of a defining moment of my Gonzaga experience, and for that I am filled with gratitude. The Ignatain Family Teach-In allowed me to take my grassroots advocacy to the desk of Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers and deliver a list of over 500 signatures of Zags who support the DREAM Act and positive immigration reform. In that moment I realized that every DREAM Act poster, Facebook post, panel, t-shirt, essay and flyer over the past few years was all for this moment–to personally call upon our State Representative for positive reform.
The take-away from the Ignatian Family Teach-In is to never give up or give in. There have been numerous times throughout my advocacy in which I have been tempted to just quit because I was tired or faced with another challenge; it is opportunities like the Ignatian Family Teach-In and the Jesuit spirit of being a person for others that motivate me to keep fighting. Thank you for helping me help others.
-Brittany Clark, Class of 2015
‘The Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice Conference was an experience that started before arriving in Washington D.C. and is an experience that I will always cherish deeply. Thanks to the wonderful scholarship contribution from the Parent and Family Office, I was able to take part in advocating for the voiceless and neglected. The month before departing for Capitol Hill I worked with a couple other students researching the Fair Minimum Wage Act and preparing for a meeting with a staffer from Senator Murray’s office. Since each of us is from different states it was interesting to see how different the fair minimum wage is in different parts of the country. We were able to integrate personal stories into our presentation with the staffer. This meeting was a highlight of the trip because it was all of our hard work in action.
Leading up to the IFTJ Conference, we collaborated with many other Jesuit schools from across the country to share ideas. We had the opportunity to network and see what other groups were doing that were effective in their areas. We also heard from amazing speakers such as Sister Peggy O’Neill. Perhaps one of the best growing opportunities from the Conference was having mock-meetings with professional lobbyists. They asked us great questions that prepared us well and helped us sharpen our presentation skills.
During my time in D.C., I was also able to see museums and buildings rich in American history. I really appreciated having the time to visit these places because knowing about American history plays an integral role in understanding why we are facing some of today’s controversial topics. The World War II Memorial, the American History Museum, the Lincoln Memorial and The White House were some of my favorite locations to visit.
Immigration reform and the fair minimum wage are topics that have always had an impact on my life. Up until attending IFTJ, I was timid about bringing up the topics to my peers. Now I feel more confident about discussing these social issues with others because the voiceless are counting on us. I aspire to continue my involvement with immigration reform and fair minimum wage.
-Susi Lira, Class of 2016