Sometimes life touches us with extraordinary people, those who impact our senses, and stir the highest ideals of the human being. That's what happened to me when I met Maria on a video call. Her passion, her congruence between thinking and doing, her commitment to immigrant children - have conquered a space in my soul, that space that seeks to improve the world, to make it better. Thank you Maria for being that inspiring source and for so many efforts to create a more just and humane world. Happy rest-of-the-way; may life compensate you with blessings of all kinds for the good you have done in creating and leading the Young Center. I will miss you so much.

Thanks,
Beatriz Martorello

Congratulations on your retirement.

Wishing you continued happiness and success,
Lynn Lamanno

Dear Maria, It has been such a privilege to work with you over the last six years. You built an incredible organization and deserve an amazing retirement after a lifetime of fierce advocacy. It’s a joy to be a part of this incredible work and to have a job I love and that I have been able to grow in; I’m forever grateful to you for this. We will carry on your vision. You know where to find us when you want to visit, and we’ll be sure to reach out when we need design advice for the Chicago office!

With admiration and gratitude,
Geoff Wood

Maria, it is hard to put into words what a wonderful, life-changing experience it has been to work with you and with the Young Center.  Both as a Child Advocate and as a board member, I have seen the kindness and compassion that this organization, your creation, is all about.  You have been a beloved, humble, and benevolent leader for this organization.  You have greatly inspired me and so many others.  I hope that your retirement is completely enjoyable and stress-free!  Thank you for everything, Maria.

Simone Tseng

Dear Maria, Congratulations on a standout career and best wishes for your retirement!

Much love,
Mirela Vesa

Dear Maria, It has been a pleasure working with you on the board and seeing you lead such an amazing organization with great vision and guidance. Your thought leadership has been a true inspiration.  I wish you the best on this next chapter of your life.  I am looking forward to keeping in touch.

Love,
Jimena Catarivas

I will always remember talking to my sister after interviewing with you for the Development Director job, Maria. I told Kelly, “Oh my god, that was the best interview. I learned so much. I took, like, pages of notes!” My sister said, “You took notes during your interview? Oh my god, Maria will love that. You’re definitely getting the job.” And I did! Even though I was taking notes because I had no idea what we were talking about half the time. I knew immediately that I was going to learn nonstop—and take notes nonstop—every day that I worked with you, and that’s exactly what happened. Thank you for taking a wild chance on me and bringing me in to this amazing organization you’ve built. It’s been a pure privilege to learn from and laugh with you for the past three years, Maria.

Grateful and proud to be a part of the team, AJ

Congratulations, Maria. Your work is inspirational.

Albert Cheung

Maria, Congratulations on your retirement! I am so grateful that I was able to join the Young Center under your inspiring leadership and vision. The YC wouldn’t be what it is today without your leadership, and even in the short time I’ve been with the YC, I have seen how your passion, unwavering commitment, and thoughtful advocacy for immigrant children are all so very much a part of the DNA of the organization. In addition to your evident passion and love for the children we serve, I have been struck by how much you care for and interact daily with YC staff, whether it just be a thoughtful note or sharing your thoughts on staff calls. The concern and care that you’ve shown for staff are also integral components of your leadership, and I am so appreciative of how you lead by example. While your daily presence will be deeply missed and felt, I am so happy for you and this next chapter in your life. May it be filled with rest, peace, and joy.

Best,
Jane Liu

Thank you for all of the vision, passion admins dedication you have poured into this work. You are truly an inspiration.

Best wishes for your retirement!
Kristin Rice

Job well done!

Congratulations Maria on your incredible legacy, Maureen and Brent Stratton

Maria, thank you for your many years of fearless leadership. You did not just build a career, you built a movement that shaped the lives of so many and will continue to do so long after your retirement.

Congratulations and best wishes!
Margaret O'Connor

Congratulation on all your fine work for immigrant children. Glad that you get to have a rest.

Ellen Barton

Congratulations on making such an important contribution to children's lives.

Best Wishes to You and Alex,
Barbara Kirschner

Congratulations, Maria, on an amazing career - you impacted so many advocates along their journeys.

Paul Lee

Congrats Maria on your retirement, and thank you for all of your great leadership and the tremendous impact you have made for unaccompanied immigrant children!

Bob Glaves

Maria, your tireless work will transform children's lives for generations. Thank you for being a beacon of justice, healing and love.

Ms. Kim Van Horn

Maria, as an immigrant, as someone who was once a child refugee, I feel such deep gratitude towards you. The world can seem harsh and lonely when you are a child in a new place. You have created a support system for thousands of children, and every time I think about that, the little refugee girl inside me heals a little bit. Thank you for giving me the chance to contribute to this work. I am so proud to know you and even more proud to have been able to work with you.

With eternal gratitude,
Noorjahan Akbar

Maria you have been an inspiration. You should be proud of all you have established at the Young Center. I wish you the best in your next chapter. We are grateful for your example.

Meredith Linsky

Dear Maria, Thank you for your vision and leadership in creating such a thoughtful way to empower children to share their stories in hopes that they will be seen as children in a system that forgets that. I am a stronger advocate, lawyer, mother, and global citizen because of my work at the Young Center. The training I’ve received here from both lawyers and social workers is more than I could have ever dreamed of when I started law school. Thank you for letting me be a part of your vision! It is such a well-deserved JUBILACIÓN!

Vanessa Pineda

Dear Maria, It’s been my privilege to support you. Thank you so much for modeling true leadership for us. I’ve been awed by your words many times and I will forever be inspired by what you’ve accomplished. It’s rare for someone to look back at their career and have the satisfaction of knowing what they created will continue to make the world a kinder, more just place well into the future. I hope you lean into the peace and joy of this well-deserved season of rest.

All the best,
Lisa Heineman

Maria, what a vision you had nearly 20 years ago. Only a heart, mind and passion like yours could have began such a critical social justice endeavor. What an indelible mark you have left on the world.

Sincere thanks for all you have done for others!
Patrice and Terry Sullivan

Maria, you’ve been the very best colleague. Visionary, strategic, and so damn smart; empathetic, kind, and hilarious; a leader and an ally, a champion of every staffer; but most importantly, relentlessly and zealously committed to children’s rights. You know the names and stories of so many children who wake each morning in safety, in the company of family and community; but there are countless more you’ll never meet, who are thriving today and who will lead us tomorrow, in small part because of what you created. I am inspired by and grateful for your example and wish you joy. (And chocolate & cocktails.)

Jennifer Nagda

Dear Maria, You are a model of diligence, patience and quiet perseverance.  Always with respect and courtesy for the other, even when they are not offering the same.  Your life’s work of centering the best interest of the child has already made a difference in the lives of many and it will continue to change the country and the world for the better into the future.  Thank you for everything.

Linda Dakin-Grimm

Dear Maria, Thank you for giving your energy to creating this beautiful organization. I am so grateful to be able to serve immigrant children thoughtfully and whole-heartedly with colleagues who are not only dedicated and brilliant, but full of joy and play. You made that possible. May your next chapter be full of love and laughter and many delicious snacks. Team Chicago will miss you and, let’s be honest, your incredible snack drawer!

Thank you, Maria,
Raia Stoicheva

Maria, Thanks for your many years of leadership and fierce advocacy to improve the lives of our most vulnerable immigrants. We can't wait to celebrate your retirement with you in person!

Cynthia Wilson and Chip Peters

Dear Maria, In every interaction we've had, you have been the epitome of grace, kindness, intelligence and humanity. We are all so lucky to know you. Thank you for creating The Young Center and changing the lives of so many children. Wishing you happiness in the next chapter of your life. 

With love and admiration, 
Frances de Pontes Peebles

Dear Maria, I was an admirer of the Young Center long before joining as staff, and I have continued to be blown away by this phenomenal team of individuals that you have led so fiercely. Thank you for making it possible for an immigrant child like myself to use my experience to serve immigrant children in their own stories. Wishing you all the best in your journey forward, you will be greatly missed!

With gratitude,
Camila Trefftz

Congratulations Maria! I continue to admire all you and The Young Center team do every day. As a former Young Center volunteer and current Red Crosser, we are so honored to call you, your team, and the incredibly brave children you serve, our Heroes.

Michelle McSweeney

Dear Maria, Congratulations on taking the opportunity to retire! It is so well deserved!! You have created and built an amazing organization that will continue to care for and advocate on behalf of immigrant children for years to come. What a legacy! I also want you to know how grateful I am to have a job that leaves me fulfilled at the end of each day; a job that is using the best of my legal and social work skills. The work is hard in every way, but so worth my time and efforts. I hope you can know and feel that you’ve made the lives of not only immigrant children better, but also the lives of those of us who are working at the YC. Here’s to years of good travel, good food, and good company ahead for you!

With much gratitude,
Olivia Porter

Maria, words really can’t express my admiration for what you have created or my gratitude for all that you have taught me. I hope the next chapter of your life is the most satisfying yet. You’ve earned it!

Julian Dibbell

The Restoring Family Links team and International Services team at the Red Cross of Illinois are honored to participate in a celebration of Maria's work.

Susie and Mahmoud Mazaheri

Congrats and wishing you a happy retirement, Maria! It was an honor to work with you as an intern and you have been an inspiration. Thank you for all your work and the legacy you have built.

Cynthia Herrera

Dear Maria, You are a visionary dreamer who has forever changed my career path. Twelve years ago, I heard you speak when you presented to my graduate class. You wooed me immediately – I luckily connected with the Young Center as a volunteer and then fortunately returned as a staff member. The more I observed you in action and learned about your story, the more you impressed me. You applied your law degree to advance the greater good of vulnerable immigrant children and singlehandedly initiated a unique, groundbreaking advocacy program. Eighteen years ago, as a one-woman show, you compassionately met with individual children, bravely walked into courtrooms, and engaged brilliantly with judges and government agencies. All thanks to your leadership, Congress passed the TVPRA and included language in the law based on your early work at the Young Center. You courageously led the organization to expand across the country, shepherding and encouraging staff who ultimately shape national and international policy and positively influence the direct lives of thousands of immigrant children. Clearly the breadth and depth of your impact is profound, vast, and remarkable.  

And on a more personal note, you know how to let loose, stash food like a squirrel, and always have impeccable timing to share chocolate treats when staff need them most. Maria, I will miss you dearly but appreciate all the gifts you have bestowed upon us through your unforgettable work. I wish you all the best in your retirement and hope you can fully enjoy it. You wholeheartedly deserve the chance to relax. 

With gratitude,
Marisa Chumil

Many congratulations and best wishes Maria! Thank you for your service.

With love,
Simon and Lea

What a leader! Pretty amazing accomplishments when I think about where you started, all the great talent you orchestrated, and how you made the Young Center into such an exceptional organization serving children. I continue to encourage all the students I mentor that they should intern with and seek post-law school opportunities with the Young Center. Your vision was just brilliant, and then you knew exactly how to attract extraordinary talent in various professions to enable that vision to thrive.

Andy Schoenholtz

Maria, we are all indebted to the vision that you brought to life when you founded the Young Center. That vision and hope for something better has inspired Young Center staff and donors and has been experienced by so many of the unaccompanied minors who have been fortunate enough to have a child advocate. Thank you, Maria, for your leadership, perseverance and compassion.

Anita Maddali

Maria, you are most definitely the best. Words cannot express my admiration and all that you have done to do right by all of our children. Thank you!

With love & respect,
Craig Futterman

Congratulations, Maria! Thank you are all you have done as an advocate for children. You're an inspiration and TOTAL ROCK STAR. And by the way, let's go see some other rock stars soon.

Jeanne Kim

Activism is not specific.
It’s a moral posture that, steady state,
Propels you forward, from one hard
Hour to the next.
Believing that you can do something, rather than nothing.
You assume responsibility for the
Privilege of your abilities….
You do not turn away.

 With gratitude,
Barrie Landry

Dear Maria, While I haven’t gotten the chance to work with you for long, I’ve so appreciated your fearless and humble leadership, wise guidance, and example you’ve set for all Young Center staff. Wishing you all the best for the next part of your journey. You will be missed dearly!

Thanks!
Elizabeth Witmer

Maria, I’m so happy for you, both for having accomplished so very much over the years with Young Center, and for what lies ahead for you with some new-found freedom.

I cannot thank you enough for giving me the opportunity to be part of the Young Center team.  I remember thinking that doing this job makes you glad when it’s Friday but revved up and anxious to get going on a Monday. We will miss you A LOT but will always have you in our minds and hearts as we are advocating for the kids and trying to make the best decisions possible in doing so.

Take good, fabulous care of yourself and I look forward to seeing you in the future!

Much love,
Jessie Beecher-Bell

Maria, it has been a great honor to work with you these past years!

Elizabeth Foster and Michael Walsh

What an incredible thing you've done, Maria. It has been an honor working with you and seeing everything you've created! Wishing you all the very best.

Ellie Norton

Maria, You are a trailblazer, a fierce advocate, and one sassy lawyer.  I consider myself privileged to work at an organization that you created, molded, and developed. I admire you deeply. Few people can say they’ve made a visionary idea a reality, and while best interest still has a long way to go in the immigration space, thanks to your incredible leadership, it’s only a matter of time before it’s the standard. I do believe that. The change will happen – and in my lifetime. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to both the children we serve and the people who work at the Young Center. I hope that this next phase of your life brings you peace, joy, and some well-earned rest. Thank you again, and feliz retirement, Maria! 

Warmly,
Priscilla Monico Marín

Dear Maria, Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this beautiful organization you’ve built. Your deep compassion, warmth, and fierce commitment have permeated every aspect of the Young Center, from the way we advocate to the way we make internal decisions. You’ve taught me volumes about collaboration and about fostering a caring organizational culture, about how we value and are kind to each other even as we challenge each other to the highest caliber of work. As a supervisor, you have given me support when I needed it and grace when I’ve failed; you’ve listened even when there was nothing you could do to help. But beyond the legacy you leave as our Executive Director is the mark you have left on the immigration system. You created a framework for treating children as children where before there was none, and you’ve grown an army of advocates to ensure that that treatment even in the absence of statutory commitments (and to fight for those statutory commitments!). BADASS. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to work with you and the outstanding team you assembled.

In admiration and appreciation,
Sarah Waxman

Thank you for all you have done and for giving young immigrants help and us volunteers a way to help.

Alejandra Creixell

Maria, You are such an inspiration. You willed into existence the Young Center and the best interest standard for immigrant children, and led the organization through massive growth and various administrations, accomplishments bigger than most will ever achieve. And yet despite being this force of nature, you are approachable, kind, and always willing to listen and learn. I aspire to be like you. Your leadership and guidance will be missed. Congratulations on your retirement!

Beata Leja

Cheers to your next chapter. Thanks for the caring and capable organization you have built.

Kathryn Sullivan

Thank you for 18+ years of advocating and fighting for unaccompanied minors day in and day out! I am truly grateful for the impact you’ve had on thousands of children’s lives!

Johanna Afshani

Maria, I'm not only so happy for you that you had the opportunity to grow the Young Center, but overwhelmed by the impact you have had on thousands of children's lives - through your individual advocacy, your systemic reform work, and your remarkable leadership. Your leaving is a tremendous loss to the Young Center, young advocates just starting out who have so much to learn from you, and to all the young people still needing assistance. But you also have developed awareness, a specialization, and a system of advocacy that will continue on. What a fine legacy.

Anita Weinberg

Thank you for your leadership, persistence, and fierce advocacy. Wishing you a long and happy retirement filled with good health, love and adventures. You have earned it dearest friend. You are a true inspiration!

Vanessa and John Lucas

Maria, You are a warm and generous person and the world is a better place because of the work you have done.

Janine Biskind

Ms. Woltjen, thank you for your tireless work for the past 18 years. It was an honor to meet you in Harlingen, and it is an honor to work as an advocate with the Young Center.

Thank you, again,
Sara Neuder

Maria, It has been incredibly inspiring to watch you make your very significant mark upon this world and to leave such an important legacy of blessings and grace to those who need it most.

We thank you and wish you every happiness,
Melanie Minnix

Thank you for all you've done to bring awareness these children. Your dedication and hard work is greatly appreciated all over the world.

Gracias!
Pam Kohlhoff

Your courage in founding the Young Center inspires us.

Mary Rowland

With gratefulness for all you have accomplished and hopefulness for all that is to come for you and for The Young Center.

Deb Hass

Congratulations, Maria! We will miss you, but your love and passion for your work and the rights of unaccompanied children will continue to shine a light for all of us to follow!

Wendy Young, KIND

Maria, what a privilege and honor it has been working with you these past years. I have learned so much from you—how to lead with compassion, how to stand your ground for what’s right, and how to ask the tough questions. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul into the Young Center, and for making it a truly one-of-a-kind nonprofit that fights so hard for the kids we serve. We will miss your advice, humor, and excellent snacks!

Maddie Witters