The gentrification of the Mission District brought a "gang list" that affected young people in a 60-block radius, limiting their freedom of movement and association. Vicente Garcia used his 2007 Young People For fellowship to organize the community to stop the gang list.
Featured Fellow: Danny Montes
» Nominate a college student leader for the YP4 fellowship today.
1) What do you stand for?
The simple answer is freedom and Justice. I stand for freedom from the barriers that are placed upon us as young people. In recent years we have seen the number of hate crimes in communities of color and on college campuses increase while access to reproductive resources for young men and women decrease. I stand against the environmental injustice that disproportionately impacts low income neighborhoods and how that dehumanizes immigrants.
Right now state governments are balancing their budgets on the backs of students by increasing tuition throughout this country. As tuition escalates and the conditions of our higher education institutions do not change all of these issues become barriers to access education. All the while, the federal government has not dealt with the challenges that face young people. So I stand in solidarity with all the young people who understand our intersectionalities and fight for our right to be free and just.
2) What motivates you?
My family! My parents came to this country in search of a better life for their children. My dad works from sunrise to sunset to make sure that our family has the financial support to achieve what we want to be in life. My mother has to be one of the strongest people I have ever met. She has gone through so much in her life and still proudly puts her family first. And last but not least, my little brother who is currently in elementary school. He inspires me to do this work. I want to make sure that when he graduates from high school he won’t have to worry about cost of college but can choose what college or university he wants to attend and not have to worry about cost.
3) What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Being able to do so much as an activist on campus AND graduate.
During my time at UC Berkeley, I was a coordinator for the Raza Recruitment and retention Center. I coordinated efforts to ensure the college was recruiting Chicano/Latino high school students. I was also lobbying state and federal elected officials to pass legislation that would help retain students by alleviating the high cost of college.
At the same time I was running two voter registration drives, working on state propositions, campaigning for elected officials, and running for External Affairs Vice President of the student body with a slate of other progressive students.
I graduated knowing that I fought hard and created change for students & helped other progressives have the skills to take over when I was gone. Doing all of that and also being able to graduate was the greatest feeling I have ever had.
4) Tell me about USSA and your work there.
USSA is the oldest and largest student lead student run student organization in the nation. We represent over 4.5 million students across 400 campuses nationwide. We are focused on empowering young student leaders to become a grassroots force to be reckoned with. I’m the Training Director which means I help build a student movement by continuously developing student leaders. The great thing about USSA’s system is that all of our trainings are done for students by students. Our motto is “Reach One, Teach One.” You train a student – then they become the expert on the issue and can train it themselves. The students then go on to use these skills in their fights for affordable and accessible education – and to win concrete victories for students on their campus and across the nation.
Currently we are fighting for the passage of the DREAM Act. The DREAM Act would provide undocumented students who have come to the US as minors and graduate from US high schools the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. As of right now the youth who would benefit from this legislation face barriers to higher education – like out of state tuition rates are unable to work legally in the U.S. and often live in fear of being discovered by immigration authorities.
5) Is there someone you’ve met or worked with that’s really inspired you?
Young people have been told we are the future of this country but that’s very difficult to believe when we feel marginalized.
And so the people who motivate me most are the students who never stop fighting for what they believe in no matter what they are up against!
6) What advice do you have for others dealing with those struggles?
In order to make sure that we win concrete victories that affect our lives we need to not get tunnel vision with our issues. We need to broaden our understanding and connect our issues to help and support others.
7) How can other fellows get involved or find more information about the work you’re doing?
Our websites are probably the most accessible. You can host a training or learn how to join USSA by visiting www.usstudents.org
8) What is your one main life goal that you want to accomplish?
To make sure that future generations do not have to face the same battles we are facing. Our generation is facing many challenges and injustices. It is up to us to make our voices heard and fight for the betterment of our generation so future generations will not face the tough battles we did.
9) Is there anything else that you want to say?
Being a fellow for YP4 definitely opened my eyes to the opportunities out there for young people. Meeting people who have the same drive really empowered me to do my work at UC Berkeley and stay in the work that I do today. I would not be where I am if it was not for the amazing opportunity that YP4 provided me. I strongly thank the YP4 staff for the amazing work they do to ensure students are empowered & make their voices heard.