Friends,

Roughly 200 executive orders, memoranda, and proclamations were signed by President Trump since he was sworn in. Some targeted refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants. This was not a surprise, and we are ready.

We remain focused on delivering on our mission to create opportunities for Latino and other historically underserved youth to realize their highest potential and thrive. In this spirit, we are

• Hosting Know Your Rights clinics for Identity clients;
• Increasing our staff capacity to support clients who are interested in establishing a Family Safety Plan including Standby Guardianship for their minor children;
• Adding special non-clinical emotional support groups for older youth and parents in order to better manage stress and anxiety.

If you or someone you know needs or could benefit from Identity services, please fill out the request form on our website.

If you are interested in staying informed of fast moving real or proposed national policy changes impacting immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, check out these organizations HIAS, UNIDOS US, CLASP, CASA.

And, rest assured that we are working closely with our nonprofit and local government partners to coordinate efforts and stretch our resources as far as possible to assist our neighbors and pursue our mission.

How can you help? Consider making a special gift to our LIFT Fund so that we are able to help clients facing truly extraordinary crises or hardship in the days ahead.  It was created in 2019 in honor of Identity Co-Founder Candace Kattar to ensure her legacy of never giving up on any young person in need. Or make an unrestricted donation so that we have the flexibility to add or increase specific programs and services.

As we have said many times in the past, our work has never been easy nor impossible. Together we will meet the moment to keep young people engaged in school, older youth engaged in work skills development and their parents equipped to help them. And together, like family, we will celebrate their victories and offer help when something extra is needed.

Un abrazo,

Diego Uriburu