Help me STAY in Washington, DC this summer!
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Dear Friends, Family, Loved Ones, & Supporters,
Thank you so much for taking the time to take a look at my GoFundMe page. This summer I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work at the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, DC as the Intern for the Diversity Division.
I am completing my junior year at Harvard University and will graduate with a B.A. in Psychology in May, 2013. Through my experiences in business management and campus leadership positions, I have gained valuable skills that will help me succeed and, in addition to my aptitude, will make me a valuable addition to the Human Rights Campaign team in Washington, DC this summer. I have already accepted an unpaid internship with their Diversity Division this summer and am now looking for funding to help me spend the summer in DC.
I cant wait to intern at the HRC because I believe in the fundamental mission of the organization. Everyday I strive to do my part to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and create a world with fairness and equality for all. To work for the HRC will be an honor because I will be joining an organization that inspires me to be a better person. I would also like to work for the HRC because I know it is a place where everyone is accepted and welcomed regardless of any of their personal characteristics. I want to join the HRC in their movement towards creating a more accepting society and I want to
become an activist. The HRC has given me the opportunity to work with such a strong and successful movement and all I need is the financial stability to live in Washington, DC for the summer.
Aside from general work experience, I hope to gain an even deeper understanding of the core values of tolerance and equality in addition to becoming a better activist for
the LGBT community. I also hope to become more comfortable in my own skin as an out homosexual in any kind of setting, especially in a work setting as large and as important
as the HRC. In simple terms, I want to become a better person that can view the world through the lens of acceptance and equality for all. I hope to learn the kind of skills that
would make me a valuable asset in any group setting and, most importantly, in providing a world of equality and justice for all.
In order for me to be able to go to Washington, DC this summer and work with the HRC I need help financially. My father left my family when I was in elementary school and, unfortunately, my Mom passed away my senior year of high school. I have very little family in the United States besides two sisters, a younger and an older one. We all struggle to keep up with the financial demands of our lives and it is very difficult for them to help make my summer a possibility when we're having such a hard time at home. Due to the fact that the HRC internship is unpaid and there is no housing provided, I need to find the funds to help pay for my stay in DC and my travel there. Unfortunately, I applied and received the internship well past grants deadlines and have found no funds, though I am still looking tirelessly. Unfortunately, time is running out. I am supposed to begin working in 2 weeks and still don't know if I'll be able to make it there. This is where YOU come in and when YOU can help. Below is the budget of what I am asking people for help from:
Housing: I have found housing with 4 other Harvard students and an Intern at the HRC. In order to find the cheapest housing, we looked in the smaller areas of DC and found a place in a "Latino center" of DC with low rent. We will be double-rooming to lower our own rent. The total amount will be $800 a month per three months, in addition to an initial $800 as a deposit, and $30 cleaning fee, totaling $3230 for housing.
If I can secure $3230 for housing, I am intent on going to Washington, DC and finding a part-time job or some other way to find living expenses, but it would be great if I could get some help here too.
Travel: In order to lower costs, I decided I will take a train from Boston to Washington, DC instead of flying. A ten hour train ride shouldn't be that bad! $100 for each trip covers the costs.
Living Expenses: Such as toiletries, food, subway/train/bus to and from work, laundry, etc for three months I figured about $1000. I've never lived on my own where I have to pay for my own housing, food produce, etc so I'm not really sure. I also hope to find a part-time job besides my internship at the HRC to cover more costs.
"We look forward to working with Francisco Hernandez in the Diversity Department of the Human Rights Campaign. His application for a summer 2012 internship was selected out of a very strong and large pool of applicants. My team and I were impressed by his leadership credentials. In addition, his reference on our steering committee in Boston spoke very highly of him and his enthusiasm for advancing LGBT equality and social justice broadly. (Francisco has volunteered for our steering committee.)
Francisco will be working with us from May 16th through August 21st. Specifically, he will be working with us to support our volunteer corps to develop local workplans in advancing LGBT community health and safety, workplace protections, and family recognition; building coalitions with Latino/a communities through civic engagement campaigns; providing administrative assistance as necessary; and other priorities. Because he will be working with us on an unpaid basis, I understand that Francisco is looking for sources of funding to support his internship. Working at the intersections of race & sexuality and broadening support for LGBT individuals and families at work, in schools, and in our local communities are extremely relevant for us as an LGBT community, and because Francisco will have the opportunity to work at and learn more about these intersections and issues during his internship with us at the Human Rights Campaign, your support of Francisco would greatly benefit our community as we fight to advance equality in today's sociopolitical landscape.
Sincerely,
Hyacinth Alvaran
Diversity Program Associate
Human Rights Campaign"
I am so grateful for any and all help I can receive. It really means a lot to me and I know I will make a difference this summer if I can get to Washington, DC. Thank you so much for your contribution! I know that it will help me become a better person and move forward in life. I can assure you that, as I grow older, I will make sure to one day give back to the community that has given me so much. Again, thank you.
Organizer
Francisco Hernandez
Organizer
