Karen Arellano, the daughter of immigrant farm workers from Mattawa, Washington, transformed her life the day she received her Stanford acceptance letter while working in the fields. Shortly after, she learned she was pregnant—a daunting revelation that only deepened her resolve to pursue both motherhood and education.

Karen’s journey underscores a vital question: How can our community better support young mothers in their educational and personal journeys? “We can foster spaces where we build our own support networks—our ‘villages,’” she emphasizes. “When I started out, I needed not only resources but also people who understood my journey. We need more scholarship funds specifically for young mothers aspiring to higher education, ensuring that finances aren’t an added barrier.”

Now in her last year at Stanford, Karen’s experiences have fueled her desire to address educational inequalities, especially for young mothers with limited resources. “Education is about service,” she believes, “and I intend to use mine to give back to my community.” Her honors thesis explores how we can build better systems to uplift, organize, and empower young mothers in postsecondary education, advocating for scholarships and resources that create pathways to higher education.

This season, as we celebrate resilience and hope, we invite you to support Shine Together. Your generosity will help young mothers like Karen pursue their dreams and build brighter futures. Reflecting on the impact of support, she shares, “When I first came to California with my son, there were days I couldn’t afford diapers or meals—days I wondered if we would make it. Because of you, donors, I’ve been able to dream again. Your support didn’t just change my life; it created a future. I encourage you to continue this support, helping more young mothers realize their dreams.”

“Motherhood and community change are deeply spiritual journeys. The spirit of your contributions lives on through me and my son. You’ve given me the chance to create change, and for that, I thank you.” Karen Arellano

This season, you can double your impact! Every dollar you donate will be matched up to $60,000, thanks to the generous support of our Shine Board. Join us in making a greater difference today!

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