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Young Center Ambassador Spotlight: Samantha Corkern on supporting immigrant children

We asked Young Center Ambassador Samantha Corkern about why now, more than ever, it is important to support children seeking safety in the United States. Young Center Ambassadors are key to raising funds and awareness for our work with separated and unaccompanied immigrant children facing deportation. Learn more about their role here.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what makes you passionate about immigration?

My name is Samantha Corkern and I am currently a litigation paralegal, public policy think tank fellow, and Ambassador for the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.

I have been fortunate to have met and formed close relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds throughout my life. From these relationships, I have seen the challenges and the disparities in our legal system, including and especially, the immigration system, present for so many.

I have also been raised to appreciate the freedoms and opportunities America has to offer, but have been disappointed to see that these freedoms and opportunities are not equally distributed. I believe there is a way to increase opportunity and equality within our immigration system, and the Young Center’s work is one avenue to accomplish those changes.

How did you learn about the Young Center, and why did you choose to get involved in our work?

As part of a research project for a college course in 2020, I was tasked with finding an organization aligned with my future career goals and personal values. The Young Center’s advocacy and legal work for immigrant children checked all the boxes. I also knew that I wanted to be a part of their work in any way possible, so I decided to become an Ambassador for the organization.

Since volunteering as an Ambassador, I can confidently say I have never regretted that decision. Learning about the Young Center’s work even inspired me to change my major from business to human services and consider a future in the legal field.

In the lead up to Giving Tuesday, what is one thing you’d like everyone to know about the Young Center?

The more I learn about the Young Center’s work, the more proud of my association I am. I recently had the opportunity to speak with AJ Albinak, a Senior Philanthropy Officer, and learned more about the Young Center’s inner workings. For instance, I learned that when choosing cases to take on, the Young Center often takes on some of the most challenging, knowing that this type of work is often the most impactful.

One of my favorite things the Young Center does is the release of an annual report each year detailing their work and major changes that occurred throughout the year. The report is an excellent way for individuals to see the impact their contributions make!

With that said, I encourage folks to donate on or before Giving Tuesday so that the Young Center can continue doing the work it does. Every contribution goes towards advancing the rights of immigrant children so that they are recognized first and foremost as children. You can click here and give and encourage others to do so as well.

Click here to join Samantha in being an Ambassador for the Young Center.