Community Empowerment Fund

purpose

The Community Empowerment Fund at Sojourn Mennonite Church empowers immigrant high school and post-secondary students to stay in school and pursue their educational dreams by providing emergency financial assistance. We serve students who have limited access to other resources due to their status, including DACA recipients, students without papers, and those seeking-asylum. We provide emergency funds for expenses that might derail studies and prevent students from completing their degrees. In the past, the students we serve requested support for rent, utilites, food, legal fees, application fees and renewals, room and board, school supplies, medical and mental health expenses, vehicle repairs, and computer needs (new or repairs). During the 2023-24 school year, the Community Empowerment Fund approved 39 applications from 22 students and distributed over $32,000 in emergency funds. By attaining degrees or certifications, students are empowered to create a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

Receiving this fund is much more than just getting funds to pay rent and other living expenses. This fund gives hope that there is still good in this world. There are not many that give funds away to students like me, and I’m very lucky to be able to have a such supporting community. Without it, my college career would be over. For that I’m forever thankful and this just fuels me to do better and continue to be the best version of myself.

— Post-Secondary Student

history

The Community Empowerment Fund was established in 2017 when the termination of the DACA program resulted in thousands of young people being suddenly unauthorized to live or work legally in the United States. As a result, many immigrant students in Larimer County lost their jobs and were forced into a financial crisis. Under these dire circumstances, a group of students from Colorado State University approached their advisor, who was a member of Sojourn Mennonite Church, asking for her help. Together, and with the backing of the church, they established a funding pool to which immigrant high school and post-secondary students could apply to cover emergency expenses, allowing them to remain enrolled in school and complete their educational goals. (Click here for an overview of DACA’s history.)

challenges

Current high school and post-secondary students are facing a very difficult climate. As new executive orders and policies are implemented, students face uncertainty every time they go to the grocery store or even to class. Increased enforcement puts students and their families on edge. DACA recipients wonder each morning whether today is the day that their protections will be revoked. Although many students have lived in the United States for years, they do not have access to the same resources and protections as U.S. citizens due to a broken immigration system. Moreover, immigration policy can change suddenly and drastically. The ramifications are extensive and affect every aspect of students’ wellbeing. The Community Empowerment Fund is one of the few places that students trust to support them.

Please join us in supporting immigrant students today!