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** HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM OUR FLORIDA SHELTER
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Girls from Rinconcito del Sol
Luz was 16 when she came to Rinconcito del Sol after a torturous journey from her home country. Since Luz spoke the Mayan language of her culture, her Spanish and English skills were limited. Luz had a normal childhood where she attended school, did laundry, and spent free time with friends and family. Later, though, as trust developed with her clinician and support team at Rinconcito, Luz revealed that she had been sexually assaulted multiple times in her home country. Her grandmother subjected Luz to corporal punishment, and Luz witnessed an assassination when she was 14.

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) runs Rinconcito, a Florida shelter for unaccompanied girls between the ages of 10 and 17. Rinconcito del Sol (“a little corner of sunshine”) is not a detention center. It is a place where girls can recover, get stronger and become more prepared for wherever life may take them.

Luz left her home to escape hardships and reunite with her mother. Passing through seven countries, her arduous journey to the U.S. took more than a year. At one point she was reunited with her mother, but then Luz was separated by a group of men who sexually assaulted her. Luz continued northward, traveling with unknown individuals. These companions provided shelter and food, and she reunited with an aunt after finally making it to the U.S.

Life skills club Rinconcito
At Rinconcito, the staff assessed Luz for risks and appropriate services to aid her healing. Luz participated in weekly clinical individual and group sessions and was prescribed medication to treat her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Her Rinconcito support team—a Youth Care Specialist, Case Manager, Clinician, and Recreation Coordinator—introduced Luz to art therapy and various life skills clubs offered at the shelter, such as sewing, photography, poetry, gardening, yoga, and more. She participated in equine therapy, which helped reduce her anxiety, improve her verbal and non-verbal communication skills, and lessen her feelings of loneliness and depression.

Despite her experienced trauma, Luz is always smiling and eager to learn about life in the U.S. She is playful and mischievous, and she enjoys making others laugh. Luz’s Spanish improved, and she learned several English words and phrases. Academically, Luz was able to increase her reading, writing, and math skills to the equivalent of two grades, accomplishments that made her proud.

Luz dreams of becoming a nurse. As a result of her determination, Luz gained coping and life skills that will help her acculturate in her new home. Although Luz has a long path to healing and recovery, Rinconcito has enabled her to make lifelong connections and experience a new beginning.
Girls enjoy art and other therapies
Stories like Luz’s, and many others, would not happen without you. Your support enables USCRI to help real people create new lives and experience new possibilities for meaningful, productive futures.

The work of Rinconcito del Sol is only part of the broad scope of services where USCRI makes a significant impact. This past year, USCRI served over 2,400 victims of human trafficking. We assisted with employment for more than 1,000 refugees placed in their first job in the United States with an average hourly rate of $16.25.

We can do this, in part, thanks to you. Will you donate today ([link removed]) and join in the remarkable human transformations your gifts make possible?

Thank you for your generosity and your support of this life-changing work and Happy Holidays!

Alejita Rodriguez
Shelter Program Director
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U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 350, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 310-1130
[email protected]

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U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants . 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 350 . Arlington, VA 22202 . USA