For the second time in their short and successful history, the Holy Cross Immigration Committee awarded dedicated undocumented students with scholarships through funds raised at the Chicago Marathon. The event showed the already noticeable growth in the Dreamers and Allies run organization. The previous year gave six scholarships totaling $3500.00 while this year had 13 totaling $10,000.00 in raised funds. The growth shown in one year is hope for the undocumented students that participate around the parish and community. The recipients also received a wooden figure displaying the dream of undocumented students graduating. The figurines were crafted in the neighborhood wood shop that works every Saturday morning on projects. One of many examples of many parish activities supporting one another. The event also celebrated the near future. Fr. Namndi blessed the new runners that will be running the 2014 Chicago Marathon. These runners consisted of returning and new runners that were inspired by the previous efforts to run this year. The group is already aiming at besting this year’s funds and awarding more scholarships next year. To see this much growth early on from something still relatively new is hope that this organization has not reached its best results. It was a day that celebrated the past, present, and future.It was a day of hope and that the struggle of undocumented students will always be felt. Now the runners participating in the 2014 Chicago Marathon begin to take their training to the next level. The road to October 12 and helping more undocumented students begins. Not everyone can help everyone everywhere, but there is always someone to help someone somewhere and that is what Dreamers and Allies run is all about.

The 2014 Chicago Marathon runners after receiving a blessing from Fr. Namndi