Astrid Carolina Montealegre ’01

NICARAGUAN AMERICAN HUMAN RIGHTS ALLIANCE

Tell Us Why this Organization/Cause is Important to You or the Nominee
My parents are Nicaraguan refugees who arrived in the United States in 1979. I co-founded the Nicaraguan American Human Rights Alliance (NAHRA) organization in 2019 after civil protests in Nicaragua were met with brutal repression, leading to a wave of exiles. Since then, I have served pro bono as supervising attorney, assisting over 2,500 individuals in seeking asylum. The organization helps victims of political and religious persecution who have fled Nicaragua and are currently seeking asylum in the United States. It plays a crucial role by providing access to legal services and is staffed entirely by volunteers.

Length of Service with this Organization/Cause 
2018–Present 

Share Advice to Guide Students Hoping to Pursue a Career with Social Impact or in Nonprofit Industries 
First, find your passion by identifying a specific cause you'd like to support or a challenge you may help solve. Second, expand your knowledge of the area you would like to support. You can do this by researching reputable organizations with a clear mission and vision that align with your own values. Get an idea of how the different organizations measure their impact and success and keep in mind that a reputable organization should be transparent and accountable. Finally, consider different ways you can volunteer, such as through hands-on involvement, virtual opportunities, or short-term projects. 

I encourage students to continually ask themselves: What kind of support system would the younger me have wished for? And what would I do differently? It is crucial to see yourself in the next generation, as they are the future. By giving back and opening doors for those who reflect our own journeys, we can create a thriving, supportive community that endures for generations to come. 

How Can Others Help or Get Involved 
If you would like to explore a meaningful and sustainable volunteer opportunity helping asylum seekers, please visit www.nahraglobal.org to learn more about the organization. NAHRA has volunteer opportunities for those interested in working directly with beneficiaries supporting the completion of applications or translation of documents as well as opportunities for those interested in behind-the scenes work like IT, social media, and administrative tasks. For those interested in short-term projects NAHRA welcomes volunteers to support with grant writing and fundraising.