Would something like this work??
 

As you may have heard from me before, I am the co-owner of The REAL American Dream, a small, nonprofit organization looking to make a change. We fully support the Dream Act and everything it stands for. We want the American Dream to be available to all.

We've been thinking of fundraising opportunities so that we could help the cause. I was trying to look up a cause that would benefit from a donation, but then I realized, we could always help out on our own.

This is the idea so far:

We're thinking of making T-Shirts with our cause, making stickers, and using positivelyfundraising.com to gain money, and then as well take donations. We will "sponsor" an undocumented immigrant in the position of going to college or trying to go to college and make it in life. We probably won't make much, but perhaps we could cover the cost of a book...or a semester for example.

The only problem is, I'm a bit confused. I'm scared it won't work, and I'm getting mixed information. That's where I need your help.

For those who know California Law:

I know that an undocumented immigrant can get into community college and the UC/Cal State system. Thsoe who somehow pay their way through school and complete their credits on their way to graduation...

is graduation possible? Are they actually ALLOWED to graduate from college? I've heard different and this I did not know, since they are allowed to attend, it doesn't make sense that they cannot graduate.

Help??

Re: Would something like this work??
 

i would like to volunteer to be the immigrant you help to go to college. I recently had to drop out of rutgers cause i couldn't afford the international student tuition rate that i was forced to pay even though i graduated from a new jersey highschool. I plan on attending the county college in the spring. Let me know :)

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Definitely a possibility. =] We haven't finalized anything just yet, but go ahead and add the site if you have a myspace. If you don't, email us: [email protected] (this email is open for anyone else as well).

Again, it won't be much, but maybe just a book, or something...again, nothing's finalized at this time. =]

Re: Would something like this work??
 

But is it true about the graduation thing? I'm just trying to verify this information..

Re: Would something like this work??
 

I'm pretty sure that you can graduate with a degree after all you paid for that damn degree! But without social security you won't be able to get a job so your degree is pretty useless.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

btw you should think about also having a facebook account. Myspace isn't as popular as it used to be. I think social networks are an excellent way for us to inform people about the dream act

Re: Would something like this work??
 

I personally have a facebook account, but honestly it's too damn confusing and there are, in my opinion, WAY TOO MANY APPS.

Which is why i'm not liking myspace right now, but I've learned to avoid them. =]

Perhaps I'll try and start one there tomorrow...if I have time.

And BTW update:

I just e-mailed OCTA (the orange county transportation authority) to see if they can donate a month pass or something (they're only like 30 bucks) to see if we could use that in the whole process. Again, still working stuff out here...trying to see what we could get to help.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

hmm that is very good idea and helpful... but kinda hard... It isn't as simple as raising money for a hurricane, this is raising money for illegals lol. Plus finding the illegals, going through all that is tough. I say you just set up a scholarship system for books or whatever. Take internet interview/ application and send them a check or something. I would love to help but truthfully I would rather spend that time working so I can pay my tuition.

you can graduate without a problem. But depending on your major... you may not be granted your "license" to practice. I can graduate from my program with a certificate of nursing but won't be granted a license from the government, regardless of what I score on my nursing exam (NCLEX).

Re: Would something like this work??
 

I definitely see your point, that's why nothing is finalized. It's probably going to be like a scholarship thing, but not extreme amounts. Because if that happens, it's like, we'll raise alot and it'll just go to one person. We want to help as many as we can.

I tried to contact OCTA but they dont' do that sort of thing, so there goes that idea. But anyways, it will probably just be on a contact info sort of thing. It'll be hard, but hopefully something will work out where we could do something to help these kids out till the DREAM act actually passes.

Does anyone else here have a suggestion on which direction to go?

Re: Would something like this work??
 

hm what about opening a paypal account or something and then we could just mass email a lot of people explaining them our cause and asking them to donate five dollars or some amount and in return we would send them something simple like a button or a picture or a sticker, etc. Also you could write to google and ask them if they can help us in any way. oo we could also have a google checkout account.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

that is a great idea. probably make a website and have a pay pal account attached to it for donation, just like our DAP website. But then making website and maintaining it cost money too...

wait so realamericandream, are u a dreamer too?

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Thank you for the suggestion. =D I'm all for that. It would definitely help out the progress of the organization's goal.

We do have an OFFICIAL website, but it's very small.

www.therealamericandream.webs.com

I suppose we could attach a paypal account there. I tried to figure that out, but paypal is very confusing to me. And we'd have to try and find something to give them if they do donate, so again, it might take a while.

And what do you mean if we're a dreamer?
We believe in the DREAM Act if that's what you mean....but I don't think that's what you mean...lol

I'm just scared you know? I honestly feel extremely inspired with all of this, I know so many people personally who are undocumented and it's scary to think about just how many more there are. It's horrifying to me to think that people who know just as much as I do about this country can be taken away from it tomorrow. I want to do so much for everyone in this position any way I possibly can. I'm just scared I'll let someone down and my dreams won't work. I so want something to work, I want to help make a difference. My boyfriend and I (the founders) are so motivated to make a difference in all of this...we just need help.

Sorry, I needed to let that out. .___.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

geronimo was asking if you are an undocumented student like us or just a very nice citizen trying to help us Dreamers.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Oh, RIGHT. I'm sorry. =]

Nope. I am 100% an American Citizen. Caucasian. I'm born and raised in Anaheim, California. I'm basically a minority when it comes to race, but I don't seem to care. I'm only 18 as well, so I'm quite young.

Personal Page:
www.myspace.com/dumblondegrl2790
(i swear i'm not blonde anymore, i've had it for a quite a while)

Re: Would something like this work??
 

wow.. we really appreciate your hard work and dedication to the cause here at DAP = ]

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Thank you. I'm just tired of how things are going and I don't think it's fair. It affects more people than just the dreamers, but everyone around. I'm here to the end with you guys...

Re: Would something like this work??
 

you're so sweet. ;)

Thank you. If only we had more Americans like you...:(

Re: Would something like this work??
 

hahah I live in the bay and yes white people are minorities. But I love that about California how everyone is so diverse and for the most part open. I've never had a racist encounter, there are so many interracial marriages. It is really where you see progress and the race barriers coming down.

Thank you for everything you are doing. There are ALOT of us. We can't really count, we typically don't tell everyone and run from the police. But just in California, there's probably a ton of us, from all different kind of race.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Again, you're welcome.

I know that here in Southern California there are many hispanics here and I know that many of them are not documented. I've heard of many instances where ins will come and stand on the outside of a neighborhood that everyone knows is all Latino and then when people walk by they'll ask for ID. If not, they're gone. It's not a common thing, but it's not soething rare, I could guarantee. It's just sad. Interracial things are VERY common. Hell, my boyfriend is Hispanic/Spanish. =]

Every time I read The Declaration of Independence, I get so angry because that is not what we, as a country, have become. No one should have to watch their back in a country FOUNDED upon FREEDOM.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Oh and by the way, there are many people like me. =]
Just see all the friends on our MySpace page....it's amazing.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

haha declaration of independence was written by one guy and everyone else just signed it cause it sounded good. We haven't been honoring that document for a looooooooooong time. I took ap history 1 and 2 and it amazes me how much regular Americans don't know about their own country and how many times we have repeated the same mistakes over and over and over.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

btw by regular americans i dont mean you. You seem to be pretty well informed. :)

Re: Would something like this work??
 

haha thank you.

Yeah, I know we haven't been honoring it, but we damn well should!

I'll admit I don't know alot about this country. I'm sure you guys know more than I do in some aspects.

Jsut another reason why you guys deserve residency...

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Sorry, double post...

I'm so thankful at least you guys support what I'm doing. I returned to a board I left a long time ago and told them about this and the site I'm doing...and they're lashing out...hard.

=[

I know all the arguements, but jeez, they say "don't take it personally" and then they bash me. bastards. Anyways, I'm just feeling low. And I thought I was doubting it BEFORE? Jeez, if this is just one board, there are so many others who don't believe in this, it's discouraging....
(i'm sorry, i'm venting. of course i still believe, but i just hate that these fuckheads [sorry] are sucking up the benefits of this country when some of you all deserve more than that....and they take it all for granted. sometimes i feel ashamed for even being associated as "white" because so many white people act like these peices of shit. [sorry]. gives us a bad name....)

=/

Re: Would something like this work??
 

lol calm down. I don't think it is simple "white" thing. Growing up in the bay I haven't had any racist moments, so I honestly like white people more than Asians. I know that sounds a bit wrong... but I am 1.5 generation, grew up here since I was 10 years old.

While there are parts of me that are Korean, for the most part I am Americanized. All my beliefs and ideologies are very strong southern baptist. I get frustrated with Asian people, especially my parents with some of their ways/ thinking. While I find white people much more friendly and courteous.

Sure, there is plenty of those haters but I am fortunate enough to not have encountered any of them. So I actually like white people more :) lol
Plus this goes vice versa, illegal immigrants in Korea are mistreated. When I say mistreated I mean MISTREATED, like animals. They are very racist, so every race has its rotten apples.

(plus I think blondes are HOT)

Re: Would something like this work??
 

i'm from banlgadesh (it's in south asia for those who didn't know :P) and i think white parents are a lot more liberal than asian parents. I came here when I was 11 and i consider myself pretty americanized and it's frustrating sometimes to deal with the closemindedness of my parents and relatives. My mom doesn't even want me to date anyone until i'm like 24 lmao

Re: Would something like this work??
 

I just saw today in my Campus newspaper that we have a club that supports the DREAM Act. =D

I'm excited, I''m trying to find out more info on it and i'll bring it to you guys. Cuz the newspaper had TWO articles today about the dream act, so yeahuh.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Sorry I dont have much time to read through all the responses.

Sounds great, but in my opinion, the first step to raise money to help students financially is by getting the word out there and making the organization grow. Which would mean, no financial aid just yet. After the organization grows bigger, you can give applications for some sort of aid. We cant just give it to anyone. Only deserving DREAMies.

As for that question... When I got into a community college, I signed a "promise" saying that I was in the process of getting my residency and will have it before graduation. It also said that the failure of this would not let me graduate.

Maybe it depends on the college you attend?

Well, that's what I know...

Keep in touch please.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

are u talking about the affidavit on AB540? Because if u are, it doesn't say you have to get it done before graduation.

Re: Would something like this work??
 

=D

OF COURSE! =P

That's our goal right now, and then the fundraising soon. We're trying to just post flyers and spread the word about us first! =]

I have a flyer saved on a flash drive for The Real American Dream, if anyone wants one (and to stay on a mailing list of ours. very rare emails, but whenever something important happens..yeah) just PM me with your email and I'll attach one to an email for you. It's one of those where you can tear off a peice that has the URL on it and everything for contact, so it'll help inform people about both the DREAM act and The RAD team.

Top priority right now is to spread the word and giving motivation over the internet for now until we can do so physically through aid. =]]

Re: Would something like this work??
 

It might depend on the country and social categories they came from. Bangladesh is a Muslim country, as are Indonesia and Pakistan. Japan has a different culture, the Philippines has a different culture, China has multiple different cultures (or so I've heard), and India also has a different culture. So I'm not sure Asian parents are necessarily conservative OVERALL, although they might be.

**IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: I'm a white.***

Re: Would something like this work??
 

Korea had the misfortune to be colonized by the neighboring Japanese last century, and half of the country then turned communist because China and the United States couldn't keep their hands off that country (it was a Cold War "goats butting heads" thing, where Great Powers just want to prove they're more macho than the other Great Power). People in some parts of the Asian world thought their culture and their people were better than others, and they used that as an excuse to dehumanize those others. So, yeah, racism has been a problem for a long while. And I suspect our own illegal immigration debate has a lot to do with racism (particularly anti-Mexican racism).

Re: Would something like this work??
 

I agree, Korea has been a victim of that type of racism, colonialism, communism, war, poverty and so on. With that being said, it is almost understandable why the old school Korean people are so racist, close minded, and ethnocentric. I always hated that about my own race and never thought about that... good point.

As for the anti-Mexican racism, I think it is pretty bad. I don't feel it as a fellow dreamer because I am Korean, and nobody assumes that I am even close to being an illegal. They think I am just another rich Asian kid in the neighborhood. But the moment they see a Mexican... it's just not fair.

It's like history repeating itself... the way our country (U.S.) treated African Americans, Irish, Jews, and first generation Chinese immigrants... how they are "running" over the country. It's the same old song~

Re: Would something like this work??
 

No, they are. Overall, Asian parents are more conservative and strict with raising their kids than American parents. Consider a social issue such as dating. Dating is considered to be an important step towards building relationships with our peers. Yet look at the dating culture between different ethnicities.

American parents consider dating to be a normal facet of teen life. In fact, the first date is usually considered to be a milestone in a teen's life. In Asian cultures, the subject is taboo and not even considered. Our parents strictly prohibit any dating and consider and frown upon any pre-marital non-platonic relationship. I'm not saying thats the case with every family, in either ethnic group but overall, thats the case.