IN THE NEWS

After a U.S.-led raid in 2019 killed Baby Doe’s parents and five siblings, Afghan relatives stepped in to care for and raise Baby Doe in her home country. Everything changed on September 3, 2021, when a U.S. Marine went to a Virginia state court to adopt Baby Doe without her Afghan family’s knowledge.

Baby Doe’s family has fought for return ever since, and this spring a Virginia court found the adoption unlawful. But Baby Doe remains separated from her family. As these experts in children’s health and development explain, children have better outcomes if they can grow up in a home where they are connected to their family, culture, religion and heritage. Baby Doe has a family and must be reunited with them.

In a two-part interview, Young Center Director of Communications Erika Andiola shares her story and focuses on the origins of the Young Center, the role of child advocates, and how folks can support unaccompanied and separated immigrant children and their families. For part one click here. 

SAVE THE DATE

Save the date! The Young Center is excited to host global literary icon Isabel Allende as she discusses her new book "The Wind Knows my Name" in conversation with Executive Director Gladis Molina Alt. The story weaves together past and present to trace the effects of war and immigration on one child in Europe in 1938 and another in the United States in 2019, each who experience the journey of migrating alone and the trauma of being separated from family.  

This is a free virtual event, but registration will be required. Donations are welcome. You can purchase a signed copy exclusively from The Book Stall and 20% will be donated to the Young Center.

SIGN UP TO BE A WAYMAKER TODAY

The deadline for early registration is almost here! From Friday, September 15th through Sunday, October 1st, #BeAWaymaker for immigrant children, and their families. Join us in solidarity with those who walk for their dreams of a life of safety, dignity, and respect . Sign up by August 14th and save $5 off your registration.

Want to amplify your race efforts? Put together your own race event, uplift our content on social media, and follow us online. You can use our trusty toolkit linked below. You can also register for our webinars happening on Wednesday, August 16th at 1 PM ET and Tuesday, August 29 at 1 PM ET to learn more about how to stand #BeAWaymaker in solidarity with immigrant children and their families.

LIVING OUR VALUES

Central to our organizational mission is the value of accompaniment. But what exactly does this mean and look like? Our Volunteer Coordinator Lilia Murray tells us a bit more in a new blog piece.

JOIN THE TEAM 

We have several Volunteer Child Advocate Trainings coming up in Phoenix, Houston, New Jersey, New York, Harlingen, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Stay tuned to our social media pages for all the latest training and info session dates!