I just wanted to follow-up Julie’s announcement today with a short email about the immigrant children we are hoping to serve.

More than half of the world’s refugees are children. Many flee to the United States to escape violence, neglect, and poverty; others are trafficked into the country for labor and sexual exploitation. Untold numbers of children try to enter the US every year without a parent or guardian. According to the March 2007 Congressional Research Service Report to Congress, approximately 90,000 children were turned away at the border or immediately deported in 2006. Nearly 8,000 unaccompanied children apprehended by authorities were placed into federal custody. Those who have passed undetected and are without valid immigration documents live in the shadows of society, with little hope of becoming legal residents.

The majority of the children in federal custody are from Latin America, between the ages of 13 and 17, and speak Spanish and/or an indigenous language. Miami, FL is the location of two of the detention centers that house unaccompanied immigrant minors after immigration officials apprehend them. There are several agencies that provide social and legal services to these children during their time in detention, but most often than not the children are left with very little recreational and artistic activities throughout the day, especially during the summer.

Please consider signing up to work with this “un-reached” population by serving with your gifts and talents.
To sign up email Leslie at lamartinez1225@gmail.com