Scholarship Program
Keeping the Dream Alive
Keeping the Dream Alive is a non-profit 501 c(3) in Colorado. The mission of KtDA is to provide access to accurate information and available resources to support immigrant students' transition to, and success in, postsecondary educational institutions. KtDA seeks to provide personal and professional development opportunities for students, educators, families and community members. The KtDA community advocates for policies and practices that increase educational resources and opportunities for all students, regardless of immigration status. KtDA works with, for, and alongside empowered immigrant students to support their academic achievement and career goals.
Jose Algara Godoy was a former client of Bull and Davies P.C. Jose had been fighting his immigration case in this country, he never made it to his final immigration hearing set for the fall of 2018, according to a Westwood article "on August 1, at the age of 38, he died by suicide."
On December 2018 Bull and Davies P.C. held a fundraiser and established a scholarship in his name: the Jose Algara Godoy Memorial Scholarship fund. Keeping the Dream Alive would like to thank Bull and Davies P.C. for working in partnership with us to administer the scholarship process. The event fundraising effort raised $10,000!!! In January of 2019 three students were awarded a scholarship from the fund. One student in community college, one student in a four year university and one law student were chosen as final recipients. This scholarship will allow for these three amazing and resilient scholars to continue their path towards achieving their dreams and goals in higher education. We also would like to thank every individual who donated to the scholarship fund, and most importantly we send our deepest regards to Mr. Alagara Godoy's family and friends. At KtDA we acknowledge the pain that many of our undocumented community faces in this country. It was an honor to award the first recipients of Jose Algara Godoy Memorial Scholarship fund.
Why We Keep The Dream Alive
As most of you know last year the firm started a scholarship in the name of our client, Jose Algara Godoy in partnership with the 501(c)(3), Keeping the Dream Alive, who administered the scholarship. Ultimately, the event and the scholarship was a success and we raised over $11,000 which was distributed to three students to support their goals of higher education.
Jose took his own life, in part, because of his immigration situation. Sadly, we so often see our clients and the children of our clients hold back on their dreams. We want to make a difference and support the community.
Finalists and Bios
Jeffrey Carrillo
Undergrad Major in Chemical Engineer, University of Colorado Boulder
Jeffrey Jose Carrillo Garcia was born in a small city in Chihuahua, Mexico. His parents believed that there was an opportunity for a better life by moving to the US. Jeffrey's family moved to the U.S when he was three years old. He is very grateful for that decision and knows that the sacrifice his parents made has allowed him to have a better future. He is currently attending the University of Colorado at Boulder where he is studying Chemical Engineering. He wants to pursue a career as an Engineer for the first 20-25 years of his life and then wants to work as a high school teacher. He wants to bring his experiences to students, in particular to students and in communities where they can see themselves reflected in through him. Jose hopes to help his community through creating pathways to further their opportunities in the STEM field.
Omar Silva
Law Student, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law
Omar Silva is currently a 1L at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Omar's goal after law school is to practice in areas where he can make an impact in his community and help low income families with their legal problems. Before coming to Law school, he worked at a factory for fourteen years where he started at a base position and moved up until ending in the Engineering department and working on projects. During his time at the factory, Omar was also able to get a bachelor's and master's in accounting while working full time.
Julieta Martinez
Undergrad Major in Financial Services, Community College of Denver
Julieta Martinez was born and raised in Tijuana B.C Mexico, and moved during her teenage years to Denver, CO, to join her parents in pursuit of the American Dream. Through personal experience, she was able to understand that the American Dream is harder to obtain for those who are not tutored in the realms of financial education.She realized that our families and communities are often misinformed regarding their income planning and financial progress. Considering this, she decided to pursue a degree in Financial Services, and try to bring awareness to those around her about complex financial concepts in order to develop as a sturdier sector of our society. Julieta will be receiving her associates degree from Community College of Denver.
