THE COLOR OF HOPE

Send a letter. Share some hope.

THE STORY

Driven by crushing economic, natural disaster and public safety crises, many Central American migrants continue to abandon their homes to embark upon treacherous 1,600 mile journeys northward, to the US borders of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California. Those who survive, turn themselves in to US Border Patrol agents, only to discover that current US immigration policy has them promptly expelled. Some parents send their kids across the border alone, a heart wrenching decision made by ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, faced with complicated and imperfect options.

THE HOPE

Unaccompanied migrant children and minors remain in US custody until they are placed with a sponsor, either a parent or relative living in the US. After their desperate journey many experience continuing fears, mistrust of caregivers and intimidating cultural differences. Despite these challenges, many also demonstrate remarkable resilience and resourcefulness as they begin their own healing process. Gestures of kindness and love help mend feelings of abandonment, build trust and give birth to HOPE.

Join others in writing a personal letter and giving a small gift, as a reassuring sign that love and the warmth of friendship are still alive.

THE PLAN:

Letters can come from anywhere and from children and adults of all ages. Draw and write your letters in Spanish. (Google Translate can help)
Make it beautiful and from the heart.
What you’ll need: paper, pens, colored pencils or markers, envelopes, stamps.
Before writing or drawing, ask yourself:
“What makes you feel safe?”“What does home mean for you?”“How would you feel if you had to move because your home no longer felt safe?”In addition to your letter, you can also send a small gift: a coloring book and crayons and/or journal-sketch book and colored pens.

See some sample letters/cards: sample1, sample2, sample3, sample4

(Samples listed above are from Miami Herald article on American Friends Service Committee campaign supporting unaccompanied minors, 2019.)

3 Ways to send HOPE

1. Write personal letters/cards - as many as you wish!
Or you can throw a "letter writing party." If you like, upload your pictures here!
Pictures will be posted below as they come in.
You can also join a "letter writing party" virtually! Here's the next one. Everyone's welcome!
Collect letters in a pack and mail to address below ON (or before) MAY 17, 2021!!

2. Write personal letters/cards PLUS send a coloring book(s) and crayons and/or journal-sketch book(s) and colored pens.
Collect letters, books, crayons, pens in a pack and mail to address below.
As an option, see Amazon Wish List for selection, purchasing and shipping of booklets, crayons and pens. When ready to purchase item(s), select “The Color of Hope Project” for the shipping address.

3. Write personal letters/cards PLUS send a check to cover cost of coloring, journaling books, crayons and pens. Make check payable to: "Focolare Movement YCNA" and write “The Color of Hope Project” in the memo.
Collect letters and mail to address below. Send checks for supplies to separate address listed below.

ON (or before) MAY 17, 2021!!
Send letters/cards and/or supplies to:
The Color of Hope Project
c/o Focolare Corpus Christi
701 BELMEADE DR
CORPUS CHRISTI TX 78412-3129
361-452-4496
[email protected]

Send checks for purchase of supplies to:
YCNA
200 Cardinal Rd
Hyde Park, NY 12538

You may also send electronic payment for purchase of supplies through:
YCNA PayPal: click here
YCNA Venmo: @YCNA19
For PayPal and Venmo, enter the code TXB for "purpose of donation."

The Color of Hope Project staff in Corpus Christi, Texas will deliver all letters/cards and items received to personnel directly serving south Texas border migrant children and minors who have been temporarily transferred to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Any questions? Contact us at: [email protected]

The Color of Hope is an initiative of the Youth Center of North America (YCNA) and is part of United World Week 2021, sponsored by the United World Project.

#DareToCare - 2021 United World Project initiative - engagement with and for the most vulnerable people and the problems which surrounds us, our neighborhood and the planet.

© 2021 United World Project. Images by savethechildren.org, rescue.org and axios.com.

( Made with Carrd )