Friend,
As dawn broke over El Salvador in the early months of 1985, my mother made a heart-wrenching decision: to flee her homeland without her three children in the hope she would find safety and a brighter future for us elsewhere.
We, like countless others, were victims of circumstances beyond our control: a civil war that made our country unlivable.
I remember wondering whether I would ever hug my mother again. I felt a sense of despair and sadness as I said goodbye and watched her get into the cabin of a cargo truck. As a four-year-old little girl, all I wanted to do was run into her arms and hang on for dear life.
Today, war and shortsighted policy decisions are unjustly forcing millions of children across the globe to flee with their families to other countries in search of safety, just as I eventually did.
This holiday season, as many of us gather with our loved ones in the safety of our homes, it is imperative we remember our shared humanity. As a society, we have a moral obligation to welcome the mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who make hard choices to protect their lives, dreams, and aspirations from onslaught of conflict and violence. Just as my own family did over 30 years ago.
As 2024 approaches, I urge you to continue to stand with us to receive all who seek safety with open arms. Help the Young Center fight for children to be welcomed with dignity by making a gift this holiday season. Together, we can make a difference!
