Spring 2013
1 Year Anniversary & Speak Out Celebration
From left to right: Karen, Joselyn, Maria Luna-Duarte, Elizabeth, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Meiners, Jose, Lisbet, Jazmin, Bryan and Lluvia infront
URO President: Jazmin Morales and Lisbet Ruiz
From left to right: Karen, Joselyn, Maria Luna-Duarte, Elizabeth, Dr. Gomez, Dr. Meiners, Jose, Lisbet, Jazmin, Bryan and Lluvia infront
On Tuesday March 26th, Undocumented Resilient & Organized Cub (URO) held their second annual speak out event during their 1 year anniversary celebration. Students, faculty, staff, administrators and friends attended the event.
​The event began with the first 30 minutes of "social" time in which guests were able to engage with URO members, talk among themselves and enjoy some appetizers and music.
The main program began at 3pm with our President Jazmin Molares and URO member Lisbet Ruiz welcoming everyone and giving a brief background of URO, the Speak Out events, as well as why events like this one are vital to NEIU (Click Here to view the welcoming speech). After the welcoming the following program was led by an amazing line up of guest speakers and call to action participants! ​
​
Speak Out
Elizabeth Cervantes – is an NEIU Alumna, former URO member, community organizer, and an awesome friend! She is also the co-founder of the Bolingbrook community-based organization – Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project (SSIP). Elizabeth graduated in the spring of 2012 with a BA in sociology. Following graduation, she began doing electoral organizing with SSIP. In addition, she volunteered as the coordinator of SSIP’s Youth Mariachi Arts Program. Currently she works as a part-time organizer with the Dupage County Area Project promoting the Youth Mariachi Arts program. Elizabeth continues advocating for a just and humane immigration reform – organizing at the local and national level, while at the same time addressing local issues in her community. Elizabeth is the person we look up to – always speaking out against injustices and making a difference in the community. ​
To view Elizabeth's speech please click here!
Dra. Christina Gómez – An amazing professor, advisor and person! Dra. Gómez is a sociology professor and serves as the coordinator for the Latino and Latin American Studies Program at NEIU. When she is on campus you will find the door of her office wide open! For us, as URO members and students, this has been a signal of invitation and welcoming. We know that her doors are always open for us and for anyone at NEIU. This is something we do not see very often, but something that is vital to collaboration and communication – breaking down the barriers between students and those in positions of power. Dra. Gómez helps to cultivate humbleness, confidence and agency for URO. Leading by example, she has share with us the many ways we can express ourselves. Dra. Gómez and fellow professors like her, believe and value the many knowledges and experiences of students, always prioritizing students as agents of solutions.
To view Dra. Gómez's speech please click here! To
Dr. Erica Meiners – An amazing friend and scholar-activist. Dr. Meiners is a professor of Education and Women's and Gender Studies at NEIU. She is also a great mentor! Always engaging with students, sharing knowledge, opening new pathways and breaking down barriers with students at NEIU. On and off campus she is well known for her amazing work both theoretical and practical. Working for justice, she addresses topics e.g. prison industrial complex, militarization, immigration, border, detention, deportation, and queer and feminist politics. She shares an abolitionist and critical perspectives that challenge our ways of thinking and viewing our daily lives.​
​To view and read Dr. Meiners' speech please click here!
Joselyn Gálvez – NEIU graduate, co-founder and alumna advisor for URO, a great friend and colleague! She graduated in Spring 2012 with a BA in mathematics and secondary education and is currently pursuing Bilingual/Bicultural Education at NEIU. She is recognized for her excellence in her academic studies as well as for her passion in education, especially with immigrant Latino/a high school students. URO sees Joselyn as an example of dedication and commitment to the undocumented struggle, raising unique questions and perspectives that many of us take for granted. In addition, together with Joselyn, the URO team continues to expand its political and critical consciousness – addressing issues faced by undocumented students at NEIU from different perspectives.​
To view and read Joselyn's speech please click here!
​
Call to Action and Final Remarks
​José G. Herrera –
To view and read José's speech please click here!
Karen Figueroa – is a former NEIU student serving as a close friend and advisor for URO and its members. While on campus and as an URO member, Karen contributed with her critical perspectives on the many issues and challenges faced by URO at NEIU. She has a long history advocating for migrant justice, organizing in the state of Arizona and always questioning the status quo. URO benefits from her extensive knowledge, experiences, and critical analyses. Karen is the person URO can always count on, she always brings together the many different perspectives and ideas of the group into one, consolidated image that we all can agree upon. Karen has help produced a stronger and more political and critical consciousness for URO, challenging our understanding of issues and processes we face on and off campus.​
To view and read Karen's speech please click here!
​