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Dear Friend,
My name is Isyemille. I am a poet and musician. My family migrated to the United States from Mexico in 1985 so that my brother, who lives with Down’s Syndrome, could have access to sufficient resources. That being said, my immigration story is one of privilege in many respects, as both my parents were formally educated, and my mother was already bilingual when we arrived. My parents always made sure we went to “good” schools and “fit in” as much as possible, thinking this was the best way to support our well-being as we grew. We were not fleeing violence or persecution. While we weren’t wealthy, we were safe. My immigrant story is not a horror show, as so often is the case.
I’ve been living in Chicago since 2003. I had heard about the Young Center purely by chance, but immediately knew that I wanted to be a part of this organization. That’s why signing up to be a Volunteer Child Advocate for the Young Center felt so natural and fulfilling to me. It’s an intensive process that connects you to a child who is going through the immigration system in the United States alone. Throughout, you listen to them, talk to them, laugh with them, and show them a sliver of safety in a very unsafe world.
One of my fondest memories includes working with a child from Honduras who was hoping to experience autumn and winter for the first time. This experience showed me that children carry wonder inside them.
That's why this Giving Tuesday I am asking you to give to the Young Center. Help us raise $100,000 by midnight on November 29th Together we can show unaccompanied and separated immigrant children how powerful they truly are. Being a Child Advocate necessitates patience and being able to access wonder as an adult. By supporting children through a traumatic, sometimes violent process, we help to create a more sustainable foundation for them to grow from into adulthood. We all remember small connections in our lives that impacted us in ways we did not expect. It is powerful to be able to offer that to someone. Your donation helps us do exactly that.
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