When I arrived in this country as a 17-year-old student from Guatemala, I was scared. I felt alone in the new journey that I was embarking on, and I did not know what to expect. I felt lost in this new school system. As time went by, I began to make friends, some who had experiences similar to mine. And one day, one of those friends introduced me to a community that changed my life -- the Latino Youth Leadership Council.

The Latino Youth Leadership Council (LYLC) is a group of young immigrants from Central America and the Caribbean who are passionate about activism and social justice, especially for immigrant communities. The LYLC was founded by two young Latina immigrant women, and is rooted in teamwork, integrity, selfless service, and personal courage, all of which motivated me to take part in the movement. When I went to my first meeting and met other immigrant youth like me who were also frightened by the 180-degree change we were experiencing, I knew I had found a home.

We began by learning the basics of organizing and mobilizing. We organized through conferences and youth summits that reached hundreds of community members and exposed them to various challenges that affect Latino youth in our city and our nation. We hosted "Know Your Rights" workshops, discussions about the struggles of ESL students in schools, and ITIN workshops for immigrants without an SSN to file taxes. We encouraged attendees to get involved in the community and advocate to support immigrants so that we could redefine who we are as a nation. Throughout the program, I learned the value of leadership and citizenship as I proudly represent the Latino community with valor and honor.

One of the most powerful projects I've worked on with LYLC was in partnership with a local DC nonprofit called Shout Mouse Press. We worked with their teaching artists to create our own book - Voces Sin Fronteras: Our Stories Our Truth. It is a collection of comic memoirs written and drawn by 16 Latinx youth that came together to tell their stories of immigration, transformation, and resilience. I decided to be part of the book so I could tell my story and educate people about our realities as recent immigrants. As surprising as it sounds, many people still do not really understand the issue of immigration in this country and have not yet heard the truth from an immigrant's perspective. This book has given us the opportunity to share our personal stories that are not often told in the media, and to educate people about the true human costs of immigration. We also have the opportunity to affirm other young people like us so they know that their stories matter, and they can overcome their obstacles through resilience and help from their community.

Since publication in 2018, Voces Sin Fronteras has served as a tool for connection, education, and inspiration for thousands of children and young adults across the country. We have sold over 6,000 copies to date, and proceeds from the book go towards the Voces Sin Fronteras Scholarship Fund, which specifically supports students who are shut out of other scholarship opportunities due to their status. I am proud to say that so far we have raised nearly $55,000 for this fund, and helped seven First Gen students fulfill their dreams of going to college. We have also been able to donate hundreds of our books to children in immigration detention centers so they can know they are not alone. Knowing we have reached so many children gives me reassurance that despite all the hardships I have gone through since my decision to migrate, it has all been worthwhile.

Voces Sin Fronteras has also given my peers and me the opportunity to reach young people directly in our community through the author talks we give in elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as in college classrooms across the greater DC area. We've been able to help educators who want to make their classrooms more welcoming for immigrant students, and also directly inspire other young people with our published stories. I have given more than 25 talks, reaching over 900 people across the community. I love that I get to serve as a diverse role model for the young people who read my book and hear me in their classrooms. I hope to inspire them to break the wheel of oppression that for far too long has separated us, and to motivate them to use life's challenges as an opportunity for growth and to give back to our communities.

By speaking up about my immigration story and owning my truth, I do my best to encourage others to own their own voices and use them to lift others up. This is the best way I know to make a positive impact in my community. I feel lucky to have the opportunities I have had to make a difference, especially for young people who need it most, and I look forward to many more chances to come.

Join us June 6-8, 2020 in Denver to meet inspiring First Gen role models like Rosa and those organizations and businesses who can connect them to role models, mentors, internships and jobs. We are proud to partner with organizations like Shout Mouse Press to bring more opportunities to students like Rosa!