"Enroot is a place where all immigrant students are welcomed and can feel like it's their second home."
-Nafis, Enroot College Success Freshman, 2019
Dear Enroot Community,
We find ourselves at a profound and poignant moment in our nation's history. There are many reasons to feel alarmed today, but one that especially concerns us at Enroot is the resurgence of the White Nationalist movement. In the last few years, this hateful ideology has shocked us as it courses throughout the country, from the dark fringes of the internet to White House policy, making life harder and more dangerous for our immigrant communities.
Right here in Cambridge and Somerville, immigrant students navigate the very racism and discrimination that often leaves us outraged as we read about them in headlines. But anger alone does not create change. During this painful chapter, each of us must look inward, channel our indignation, and decide what role we’ll play in the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
At Enroot, we take action by supporting hundreds of immigrant students through tutoring, mentoring, leadership development, post-secondary access workshops, professional internships, and college success coaching. Our program has proven effective at dramatically improving the success outcomes for English learners: recent data shows Enroot students go on to graduate college at more than twice the rate of their peers.
But we cannot carry out this work alone. At this challenging time, immigrant students are counting on you to help. This year’s campaign, with a goal of raising $100,000 from dedicated community members like you, will not only allow Enroot to reach more students but will also enable us to better respond to their evolving needs.
"In my first year at CRLS, I was a lost new kid in a new country and school... I would just roam around the hallways and go from school to home without feeling any kind of acceptance or a feeling of belonging. Enroot provided me with the community feeling that I needed.”
-Ali, Enroot College Success Freshman
Enroot students hail from more than 36 countries across the globe. They left behind beloved family members, familiar traditions, cultures, and a sense of belonging — a challenge many of us cannot fully appreciate. What’s more, they face threats, discrimination, and verbal abuse around the community, even within school hallways. Supporting them is our sole purpose. Enroot is the only agency in Massachusetts that offers a multifaceted program focused exclusively on the needs of immigrant students.
While we celebrate our accomplishments with more than 400 alumni, we know the work has just begun. It is only through the generosity of individuals like you that we are able to sustain and grow our robust program.
This important work is only possible with your generous support.
