Washington DC Internship

My name is Raul Marquez Guerrero and I am a senior at McKay high school. For the past 18 years, Salem, Oregon has been my home. I am the son of immigrants and soon to be a first-generation college student. I am the fourth child of 7 total children.  Over the course of the last four years, I have been able to learn about our legislative branch process through school courses, model government programs, and non-profit organizations. But, I have just scratched the surface of politics and government. This summer I am serving as an intern in the United States Senate. As part of the internship, I will get to spend approximately 10 weeks in Washington D.C.

Thankfully, this internship will provide me with some financial support which makes this opportunity more feasible for me. The money I will receive over the summer, however, will not be given to me up front, and instead will be given to me in two payments a few weeks into the internship. Due to the fact that this is the first time I will need to manage my finances and will still need to return to Oregon, not in debt, I ask that you please consider donating to my cause.

Before I arrive in Washington DC it is my responsibility to purchase my plane tickets and secure housing in the D.C area. Additionally, I must ensure that I have the financial stability to cover expenses such as transportation, food, toiletries and professional attire.

By investing in me, you are investing in creating more equitable and welcoming communities. I have learned that in order to create a more equitable society, it is essential to involve all communities in decision-making. I have also learned that we must challenge white supremacy and stand up for the rights of others regardless of the color of their skin, citizenship status, or country of birth. Although I have given thought to running for office, I cannot say for certain that I foresee a future in which I run for an elected official position. Regardless, I can guarantee that as long as I have my community's support to fight for what I believe is right, I will be advocating for human rights.

Shortly after I finish my internship in Washington DC I will begin my first year as a college student. I have not decided what I would like to major in but, I have given a lot thought into studying political science and/or Sociology so that I may continue to expand my knowledge of our legislative branch. By exploring our legislative branch at the federal level, not only will I be able to make connections between what I learn in a classroom setting but also these experiences will allow me to ground my knowledge and be a catalyst for change. Thank you for your support!