23 Sep 2015

Today, leaders from La Hermandad were in Washington D.C. sending a message to Pope Francis and President Barack Obama on a more humane approach to immigration reform. Alicia Flores, executive director, escorted two youth to the nation’s capital to tell their story of anguish and heartbreak of family separation. Both children are U.S. citizens living in this country and their parents are from Mexico.2CB1FE2C00000578-3246811-image-a-58_1443056089438
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Read today’s Ventura County Star article on the youths journey to tell their story. Part of La Hermandad’s mission is to integrate immigrants to the larger community through educational initiatives such as civics, literacy, and computer classes. It also works to advocate for basic human rights by telling stories of real people caught in a broken immigration system. We invite you to support this effort through your participation in La Hermandad’s 10th Anniversary luncheon on October 25, 2015. Through your generous support, we’re able to continue our work to build a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous community.

Sophie Cruz, 5, from suburban Los Angeles pauses during an interview with The Associated Press  Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 in Washington. Sophie crossed a police barricade to greet Pope Francis during his parade. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Sophie Cruz, 5, from suburban Los Angeles pauses during an interview with The Associated Press Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015 in Washington. Sophie crossed a police barricade to greet Pope Francis during his parade. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Alicia Flores, executive director of La Hermandad Hank Lacayo Youth and Family Center in Los Angeles, told the Washington Post her organization chose Sophie, with her parents’ permission, to deliver the drawing and note to Francis and hear their message. While meeting the pope might be a daunting task for the average person, Cruz didn’t have any problem approaching the leader of the Catholic Church.

“God made me like that,” she said, according to the Washington Post.


Art by Sophie Cruz

Art by Sophie Cruz