Scholar Story — Patrycia Piaskowski
From Undocumented Child
to Chicago Attorney
Patrycia Piaskowski arrived in the United States from Poland in 2002 at the age of seven. Her childhood was shaped by movement, instability, and uncertainty as her family lived in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, and eventually Chicago. Growing up undocumented, she struggled with belonging, identity, and the quiet fear that defines so many immigrant childhoods.
In 2012, she became one of the first recipients of DACA. For the first time, she had work authorization, an ID, and the ability to begin building a future that matched her ambition.
When Patrycia graduated high school, she was accepted to DePaul University but faced over $20,000 per semester in tuition with no access to federal aid. She chose dignity over debt and enrolled at Wilbur Wright College, earning her associate's degree. A career advisor introduced her to TheDream.US — and everything changed.
With scholarship support, she transferred to Dominican University, pursuing Political Science, Legal Thought, and Pre-Law. She entered IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law and graduated in 2023. She passed the Illinois Bar, was sworn in as an attorney, and now practices law in Chicago. Today, she is a U.S. citizen.
Scholar Story — Patrycia Piaskowski
What Integration Looks Like
Chicago Gained a Lawyer
The legal system gained a professional shaped by empathy, resilience, and lived experience.
The Community Gained a Contributor
A civic contributor, a taxpayer, and a professional who helps uphold the rule of law.
A Girl Found Her Belonging
A little girl who once questioned whether she belonged now helps others navigate the legal system. This is what integration looks like.
Scholar Story — Juan R.
From Community College to PricewaterhouseCoopers
TheDream.US
Scholarship awarded
UIC B.S.
Accounting, 2020
MBA
Completed 2021
PwC Career
Accountant & Recruiter
Scholar Story — Juan R.
Building Belonging
Juan R. arrived in the United States in June 2001 with his family on a tourist visa. Chicago quickly became home. He learned English, attended school, made friends, and grew up believing that hard work and patience would secure his family's future.
A turning point came when Juan received a TheDream.US scholarship while transferring to the University of Illinois Chicago. The scholarship lifted a tremendous financial burden — and meant something equally powerful emotionally: validation that his dreams were worth investing in.
Shortly after purchasing his first home, Juan became a U.S. citizen — a milestone that allowed him to petition for his parents, who are now permanent residents. Today, Juan works as both an accountant and recruiter at PricewaterhouseCoopers.
"Integration is not a policy term — it is the lived experience of belonging without having to erase who you are. It means pursuing an education, building a career, and contributing to your community while honoring your language, culture, and family roots."
— Juan R., Accountant & Recruiter, PricewaterhouseCoopersFirst Home
Juan purchased his first home — a milestone of stability and investment in his community.
Family Reunited
Citizenship allowed Juan to petition for his parents, who are now permanent residents of the United States.
Professional Leader
At PwC, Juan brings lived experience as an immigrant to shape more inclusive hiring and career pathways.
Scholar Story — Mayra Arriaga
From Dream to Advocate
Mayra Arriaga arrived in the United States from Mexico in 1999 when she was just nine months old. Chicago was home. That awareness of her immigration status came later — watching her older brother navigate barriers to his opportunities to study, travel, and work.
Hope arrived in 2012 when DACA was announced. The turning point came when Mayra applied for TheDream.US scholarship. When she received the acceptance email, everything changed.
Her Path
- → Arrupe College, Loyola — Associate's in Social & Behavioral Sciences
- → Bachelor's in Psychology — completely debt-free
- → Master's in Social Work (in progress) — Dominican University
- → Purchased first home, 2021
- → Permanent Resident, 2021
- → U.S. Citizen, 2024
Scholar Story — Mayra Arriaga
Serving Survivors,
Strengthening Communities
Today, Mayra is pursuing a master's degree in social work at Dominican University while supporting survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking. It builds on six years of work supporting survivors of domestic violence — providing counseling, safety planning, court advocacy, and connections to financial assistance.
Her work is deeply personal. When she was younger, her own family received counseling from HOPE Family Services when they lacked health insurance. The counselor who supported her family inspired Mayra to one day help others in the same way. Now she does exactly that.
Without access to education and work authorization, cities like Chicago would lose resilient leaders like Mayra — people who bring cultural understanding, language skills, and deep community connections to the work of strengthening neighborhoods.
