Distinguished Lecturer Cristina Jiménez Moreta recently published her powerful memoir, Dreaming of Home: How We Turn Fear into Pride, Power, and Real Change. Described by St. Martin’s Press as “a coming-of-age story for both a young woman finding her true self and a social movement of immigrant youth trailblazers who inspired the world and changed the lives of millions,” the book is both personal and political—a testament to the strength of undocumented communities and the power of collective organizing.
Dreaming of Home traces Cristina’s journey from Ecuador to the United States, where her family sought refuge from political and economic turmoil. Growing up undocumented in Queens, New York, she navigated fear, isolation, and systemic barriers, yet found her voice and purpose through education and activism. Her memoir offers a deeply personal account of becoming one of the co-founders of United We Dream, now the largest immigrant youth-led network in the country.
With honesty, vulnerability, and flashes of humor, Cristina invites readers into the heart of the immigrant experience—grappling with identity, belonging, and what it means to call a place “home.” She challenges readers to confront the realities of systemic racism and to reimagine what justice can look like when rooted in dignity, courage, and community. Through her story, Cristina issues a compelling call to action: to transform fear into fuel for change.
You can purchase Dreaming of Home here
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Cristina Jiménez Moreta is an award-winning community organizer, political strategist, and nationally recognized voice in movements for social justice. She is the Co-Founder and former Executive Director of United We Dream (UWD), the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the country. Since arriving in the U.S. from Ecuador with her family in 1998, Cristina has transformed her experience of growing up undocumented in Queens into a lifelong commitment to equity and systemic change.
She is currently a Distinguished Lecturer at the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership at The City College of New York and a co-instructor with Leadership for Democracy and Social Justice (LDSJ). Just two days after the release of her memoir, Dreaming of Home, Cristina delivered the keynote address at the 2025 Powell School graduate celebration. Drawing from her story as an undocumented immigrant and organizer, she urged graduates to embrace the power of courage, strategy, and collective action. As a parting gift, each graduate received a copy of her book—both a keepsake and a call to action.
Read her full Profile here
Watch the ceremony recording here.
