Hello, my name is Victoria Longino and I am a First Generation Latina. I grew up in East Palo Alto with my two brothers and my single mother. I attended East Palo Alto Academy and graduated in May 2018.

I am currently a Senior at Whittier College and double majoring in Healing Through Creative Expression and Spanish.

Overall, education has always been important in my life because I come from a low-income community. I believe that education has the power to break the cycle of poverty. I know that by gaining an education it will help me reach my goals of living well, eating well, and being financially secure. After college, I hope to get into the helping profession that involves supporting young people of color to gain access to mental health services and break stigmas as well as cultural barriers. In my community we lack models of educated people of color. I know that by graduating college other students from my community, with the same background as me, will be encouraged to also realize that education is the way to break the cycle of poverty. I am very excited to be graduating this May, 2022.

What I need your support with!!!!!

Recently, I was admitted to a study abroad program at my college. Led by Professor David Hunt and Professor Wendy Furman Adams - we have been given the opportunity to study abroad in Greece. As a first-generation college student it has always been a dream of mine to experience what it's like to study abroad. When COVID-19 hit, I thought that my opportunities to study abroad were completely destroyed. Fortunately, my professors created a May term study abroad program. I applied and I was admitted! Here are the details -

The program costs a total of $4800 + $1400 for flights. The total cost is $6,200. I received a scholarship for $2,000. I need to raise $4200 to make up for the total cost of the program. I am working and saving money. I plan to cover about $1200 leaving my total to raise at $3000. Would you consider donating funds to help me reach my goal of making this program a reality? If not, I would appreciate it if you could please share it with people in your network. Thank you for partnering with me on this amazing academic journey!