NEW YORK— Yesterday evening, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights was honored to attend the Mutual of America Financial Group’s award dinner in New York City to celebrate the exemplary work of our organization’s Child Advocate Program and the unwavering support of our local Chicago partners, the Bethany House of Hospitality and the Viator House of Hospitality.  

Late last year, the Young Center was named the inaugural Frances R. Hesselbein Award recipient of the Mutual of America Financial Group’s prestigious Community Partnership Award and received $50,000 to advance our advocacy in protecting the rights and best interests of unaccompanied and separated immigrant children in government custody. The Young Center was proud to honor the work of our local partners by allocating a portion of the funds received from this award to the Bethany House and Viator House, two Chicago-based organizations that provide supportive living environments for unaccompanied immigrant youth at risk of being transferred to adult detention facilities when they turn 18. 

Birdie Soti, Director of Philanthropy at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, said: 

“The outstanding work of the Young Center's Child Advocate Program –from reuniting separated children with their families to ensuring all children feel supported and cared for during their time in custody and after their release—is a testament to the commitment and dedication of our local partners, such as Bethany and Viator Houses of Hospitality who  stand side-by-side with us  to safeguard the rights of children who seek refuge in this country. We could not be prouder to receive this award celebrating the legacy of Frances R. Hesselbein and are inspired by her motto ‘to serve is to live’.”  

Marisa Chumil, Co-Director of the Young Center’s Child Advocate Program, said: 

“Our Child Advocate Program zealously advocates for the best interests and rights of unaccompanied children, who migrate to this country alone, often seeking protection, or who the government separates from their family. Our Advocates across the country accompany youth with compassion and uplift their stories as they seek safety in this country as we urge decision-makers to consider their safety and wellbeing in all decisions. Our partners offer youth a supportive and life-altering place to call home – to live in community while they go to school and fight their asylum case in a highly complex legal system. Not only do they provide free housing and case management services as an alternative to immigration detention, but they also support youth as they learn a new language and independent living skills in this country, access to medical care and mental health services to heal from their migration trauma, and build new friendships.  

Through our collaboration with Bethany and Viator Houses of Hospitality, we are excited to give youth and children a chance to feel safe. We strive to embody the spirit of Ms. Frances Hesselbein by boldly challenging social injustices and providing immigrant youth a welcoming place to call home and dream about their future, free from harm.” 

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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first. For press inquiries, please contact Anabel Mendoza at media@theyoungcenter.org