IN THE NEWS

On July 13th, more than a dozen members of Congress, including Senators Jeff Merkley, Dick Durbin, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Patty Murray, and Kirsten Gillibrand, introduced the Children’s Safe Welcome Act (CSWA), a landmark bill that would ensure the federal government prioritizes the safety and well-being of each child navigating our country’s immigration system. 

The bill  received additional support from 40 organizations, and represents years of work by Young Center staff and partners at the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL), who have tirelessly worked to reimagine an immigration system that honors children’s fundamental right to family unity, and their best interests. To celebrate the introduction of the bill, Senator Jeff Merkley's office held a Live Twitter event, which featured the Young Center's Senior Policy Analyst for Child Protection Mary Miller Flowers as well as partners at NCYL. You can listen to the full recording here. 

Disability Pride Month is celebrated in July to commemorate the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed thirty-two years ago, in July of 1990. Policy Analyst for Disability Rights Anne Kelsey, Case Support Associate Emely Recinos, and Social Worker Laura Zelaya, shared their thoughts on how we can all advocate for the rights, safety, and well-being of immigrant children with disabilities, while empowering them to express their wishes.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Young Center's second Waymaker's race will be held September 16 - 30th. Form your own Waymaker Team, pick a race day and route, and run, walk or roll to raise funds and awareness for the Young Center. For all teams that raise over $250, the captain will receive a free copy of Maria Hinojosa’s critically acclaimed memoir for Young Adults “Once I Was You”, which tells her story as a young immigrant in the United States finding her voice. Interested in a corporate sponsorship and/or forming a corporate team? Learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.

GET INVOLVED

Interlink Publishing is an independent online bookstore that offers a global perspective and aims to change the way people think about the world. They have a wonderful and unique array of fiction and nonfiction, cookbooks, children’s books, and journals!

From August-October, they are offering a 30% discount for all recurring donors!

Want to join the fight for immigrant children's rights? We have several job vacancies available across our eight Young Center offices. We also have upcoming Volunteer Child Advocate trainings in our New York, Harlingen, San Antonio, and Phoenix offices.  

SUPPORTER SHOUT-OUT

At the Young Center’s Board of Directors meeting in June, Teresa Sullivan stepped down as Board Chair and former co-Vice Chair, Frances Pontes de Peebles was elected as the new Board Chair. We are deeply appreciative of and grateful for Teresa’s six years of service to the Board including five years as Board Chair. Her steadfast leadership helped guide us through an incredibly challenging period in this country’s history, and allowed us not just to adapt and grow, but to thrive. Frances de Pontes Peebles joined the Young Center board in 2018 and has led the Connections & Engagement Committee since 2019. We are thrilled to see her take over the helm of our Board!