In Fall of 2017, President Trump's administration announced the end of DACA status by March of 2018. There are over 27,000 individuals with DACA status, or Dreamers, in Arizona who have a $1.3 billion impact to the Arizona economy. They are friends, family members, loved ones, valued employees, and striving students. Recognizing the need to build community awareness and financial support, Pearl Chang Esau and Luis Avila together with the Arizona Community Foundation launched a campaign called AZ DREAMs (www.azdreams.org) to raise $50,000 to fund 100 DACA recipients to apply for their renewals before the October 5th deadline.

The campaign was a great success and exceeded $70,000! AZDREAMs.org provided support from over 100 DACA recipients and their families as well as numerous Arizona organizations who are working hard to serve Dreamers during this trying time. Special thanks to Amy Daukulis Armstrong, John Graham, the Burton Family Foundation & Katie Campana/Wells Fargo for getting the effort started with major gifts. Thanks as well to the various business leaders & their organizations who partnered to get the ask out there & money disbursed in short order including Chris Camacho, Glenn Hamer, Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Neil Giuliano, Julie Engel, Jenny Poon, Odeen Domingo, Kimber Lanning, One Arizona, and Aliento. Finally, thanks to the folks who loaned their communications expertise to develop a beautiful website and campaign materials - Kyle Crafton, Lizelle Galaz, and CoHoots. This was an incredibly inspiring team effort and evidence that together, anything can be accomplished! A solution has not yet been reached by Congress, so AZ DREAMs will continue to serve as a channel to raise awareness and support for Dreamers. ONWARD to a permanent solution that will give these families peace and hope for the future.