Road to Graduate School

My name is Blanca Guerra, I was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and I am a DACA recipient. I am creating this go-fund me in order to help raise money for the move to grad school. I will be moving to Virginia at the end of July to pursue my master’s in Forensics and Legal Psychology.I have a full-time job, and will be doing other side jobs in order to raise the money, and I figured I can give this route a chance. As a dreamer, education has always been important to me. I saw my mother, an educated woman with an accounting degree from Mexico, clean houses in the US to make ends meet for my siblings and I. Being the eldest of four siblings, I knew that I always wanted pursue my dreams of going to graduate school. I knew obtaining my masters would allow me to give back to my community. I graduated from Fresno State with my bachelors in psychology and a minor in criminology. While taking 16-20 units a semester, I managed to work full-time and intern for the county jail, juvenile hall and probation. Those of you that are close friends know the obstacles I have had to face to reach this "American Dream,” as a DACA recipient I did not qualify for federal aid. I found out I was accepted to Marymount University in Virginia a year ago. Unfortunately, I was unable to go because I couldn’t find a citizen to cosign my loan. I let my grad school dream go last year in August. I continued working in what I enjoy most, supporting individuals with mental health specifically those in the system and marginalized communities, something I have been doing since the age of 19. This year the opportunity presented itself again, I was able to find someone willing to cosign my loan. I am preparing to leave in about 4 months. I am honestly so appreciative of all the support I have received from friends mentors, and family my whole life! Anything honestly counts even a “you got this” message! Thank you so much! I was also a guest on a podcast called Boyz do Cry, where I talked about my journey as a dreamer. You can listen to it by following the link below: https://open.spotify.com/episode/08iLACo6rnJo2BSiq8pPJC?si=KwosohR3SDa4kDLNNbXgug It’s also available on all podcasting platforms under by Boyz Do Cry “Immigrant Dreams.” -Blanca Guerra