Relief for NYC's Refugee Families

As our fiscal year draws to an end on June 30, we wanted to look back on a year of incredible impact for the protected status youth whom we serve, and spotlight one who benefited directly from your support.

Growing up in Nicaragua, Samuel* looked around and realized that poverty, political discrimination, and human rights attacks were part of daily life in his home country — one of the poorest in the Western Hemisphere. As an unaccompanied minor, he fled to America in search of a better life, but was caught by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and detained at the U.S.-Mexico border. He was then transferred to New York City and later placed into Children’s Aid’s foster care program.

Samuel is doing well with his current foster family, and his social worker, Karen, describes him as a smart, intelligent, and respectful young man. He is finishing 10th grade, and his English skills and grades are strong enough for him to move up. His social workers from Children’s Aid also provide emotional support and counseling to Samuel to help with all of his transitions, the continued strain of being separated from his birth family, and anything else he needs to remain happy and cared for.

We are also working with him to secure his “special immigration juvenile” status, which would provide legal protections for him in the United States and pave a way to obtain a green card. After high school, he wants to enlist in the U.S. military to defend the country that has followed through on giving him the better life he sought.

To make all of the appointments with his immigration attorney, travel to high school, and meet with his Children’s Aid staff, Samuel encountered a roadblock that many children in foster care face: transportation costs, which often aren’t covered by the foster care system. Your support is providing him with a MetroCard so he can get to his appointments, arrive at school, and continue to receive support in his journey to achieving all of his goals.

Thank you for ensuring that Samuel, and others just like him, can take the steps necessary to have a better life.

*Since Samuel is still undocumented, we cannot share his real name or photo in order to protect his safety and security.