Friend,

What does it mean to be “solito” (a little one alone) as an immigrant child?

First, many children are left in their home countries, either with one parent or with their grandparents, while the rest of their family members journey to “El Norte” (up north) in search of better opportunities or to flee from danger.

Grappling with a sense of loneliness from watching their loved ones go, young boys and girls travel thousands of miles to the United States to rid themselves of that feeling. While they make connections along the way, the pangs of being alone don’t subside. They only get worse.

Finally, once they make it to this place they only know about through movies, books, and pictures, it doesn’t live up to the hype. It’s a very difficult place to navigate and only deepens that sensation of being “solito.”

Today, I had the privilege of speaking with New York Times bestselling author Javier Zamora, whose powerful memoir “Solito” documents his journey as a child from his hometown in El Salvador to Arizona. Like so many of the children we serve, Javier embarked on his travels alone and experienced the overwhelming layers of solitude most children deal with throughout their migration experience. No child should have to travel on their own or feel unwelcome in their new home.

Donate today to help us make sure immigrant children are never “solitos” or “solitas. An anonymous donor is matching every dollar you contribute to the Young Center, up to $15,000.00. Your gift will go twice as far in supporting unaccompanied and separated immigrant children and their families.