Help Gabriela Isabel Attend a Dream Art Program

At 19, during my second year of college, I became a mother. It was unexpected, but I knew one thing immediately—I had to keep going. My daughter deserved everything, and I was determined to earn my degree to support her, with or without help. Higher education had always been my dream, and I wasn’t going to let an unplanned pregnancy stop me.

That baby girl I held in my arms pushed me to grow into the woman I needed to be. She is the reason I pursued a career in education, and later, became a mental health therapist. I remember a photo from those early days—me holding her tightly—and thinking, “I will make sure she never has to take out loans or worry about getting to college.”

Now, that moment is here.

She has been accepted into a prestigious two-week early college summer program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago—her dream school. She earned a scholarship based on her powerful art portfolio, chosen on merit alone. But as with many great opportunities, there are still costs: her flight, daily meals, a portion of the tuition not covered by the scholarship, locker fees, and supplies (which we’re still waiting to get from the assigned professor).

She’s not just talented—she's passionate. Art is the one thing she never complains about. She sits, creates, and pours herself into every piece. And I see it… this is what lights her up.

I believe in her dream. I believe that when your work is what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. That’s the life I want for her.

Please help me give her this opportunity—help her get to Chicago, experience the energy of a big city, and take her first real steps into the life she was meant to live.

Dorm Move in Day July 20th

Course Begins July 21st

Ends August 1st

More about the program she was accepted to and provided a scholarship for is in the link below:

ECHS at Summer Art Institute of Chicago

School of the Art Institute of Chicago Virtual Tou