Author Helen Thorpe Book Signing and Reading to Benefit I Have a Dream Boulder County

The "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County presents a reading and book signing with Helen Thorpe, author of Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America, Saturday, April 10, 2010, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 2999 Pearl Street, Boulder, Colorado.
 
Helen Thorpe is a freelance journalist whose magazine stories have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, New York magazine, Texas Monthly, Westword, and 5280. Born in London, she grew up in Medford, New Jersey, and now lives in Denver, Colorado. Thorpe is married to John Hickenlooper, the mayor of Denver and gubernatorial candidate. She currently serves on the boards of two non-profit organizations that focus on ensuring the success of all children, particularly those who are growing up in poverty. Just Like Us: The True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America, which Kirkus Reviews describes as creating "not only a moving examination of a complicated American issue, but a well-told, inspirational story as well," is Ms. Thorpe's first book.
 
Children from the "I Have a Dream" program will be in attendance and will be providing information about the "I Have a Dream" Foundation and the DREAM Act, introduced by Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois and Rep. Howard Berman of California. The bill would allow certain undocumented alien students who graduate from U.S. high schools, who are of good moral character, arrived in the U.S. as minors, and have been in the country continuously for at least five years prior to the bill's enactment, the opportunity to earn conditional permanent residency. The alien students would obtain temporary residency for a six year period. Within the six year period, a qualified student must have acquired a degree from an institution of higher education in the U.S. or have completed at least two years, in good standing, in a program for a bachelor's degree or higher degree in the U.S, or have served in the uniformed services for at least two years and, if discharged, have received an honorable discharge.
 
Lori Canova, CEO for I Have a Dream Boulder County says, "I Have a Dream Boulder County is in support of the DREAM Act.  Young people in this situation who are facing high school graduation and major decisions about college or work should not be asked to wait until Congress resolves all of the other vexing immigration issues. Rather, Congress should act now and take these young people off of the field of battle of the immigration wars. Plus, as a nation we cannot afford to waste their talent or the contribution they could make if given the chance."
 
Attendees who mention the "I Have a Dream" Foundation or use code #10165777 for in-store purchases at the Saturday, April 10th reading or online April 10-14, 2010 will have a portion of their purchase go to benefit the "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County.

About "I Have a Dream" Foundation of Boulder County:
Since 1990, the "I Have a Dream"® Foundation of Boulder County has helped 450 children from low-income areas achieve their education and career goals by providing long-term personal and academic support, tutoring, mentoring and four-year tuition-assistance scholarships to each graduating student.  Currently, there are six "I Have a Dream" classes in Boulder, Longmont and Lafayette of Boulder County.  The program doubled expected graduation rates for its first four graduating classes of students, and awards over $90,000 in scholarships each year. "I Have a Dream" of Boulder County follows the national model established in New York in 1981 by founder Eugene Lang. Since then, 180 Projects nationwide have helped more than 14,000 students. The "I Have a Dream"® Foundation of Boulder County's main office is located at 3012 Sterling Circle, Suite 200, Boulder, CO 80301.  For more information, call 303-444-3636 or visit www.ihaveadreamboulder.org.