After 10 weeks training to advocate on behalf of children and amplify their wishes, our Elizabeth Frankel Fellows submitted a short reflection about their time at the Young Center and the lessons they learned working diligently at the frontlines of immigration policy and advocacy to reunify families and protect the rights of unaccompanied children. We will miss Cristina, Jose, and Samantha but feel hopeful knowing that they will be creating change and impacting lives wherever their professional journeys take them!

SAMANTHA MARTINEZ

1.What was the highlight of your fellowship experience?  

My highlight was ending my fellowship knowing that the young person I worked with was reunified with their family. It was a process that took time and that moved quickly sometimes other times slowly, but the end point was worth it. Being a Frankel fellow, this year also taught me that asking questions is better than getting answers sometimes. I was also really impacted by the work that Elizabeth Frankel did here at the Young Center and how much positive change she was able to create. I never met Elizabeth Frankel, but I feel like I know her. I know the work she did, I know how she treated people, and I know that her true passion was to help these children. It was a true privilege to be able to help children this summer and to be able to do the same work that she did. 

2.Has the experience impacted or re-shaped your future goals? If so, how?  

Yes, my experience here reshaped my future goal. Going forward  I would like to work specifically with children. There is such a great need for representation and advocacy in this field that I had never really known about. It was shocking at times, other times heartbreaking. Other times and most days there was hope. Hope that the people working at the Young Center were going to make a change in someone's life. That was enough. It became enough for me. Truly, words fall short in expressing how my outlook for the future has changed. I know that I want to go forward and help children, to make a positive change no matter how small and just try to live up to the work that Elizabeth Frankel did here at the Young Center. 

3.What’s your dream for immigrant children? 

My dream is that immigrant children grow up in an environment that is truly in their best interest. Immigrant children do not belong in a detention center or somewhere where they are being watched with a threat constantly hanging over them. Immigrant children deserve to grow up with their families, friends and loved ones around them. They deserve to grow up with every opportunity that every other child has. Immigrant children should be just that, children. I hope that one day immigrant children are treated with the same dignity and respect as any other person would, that they grow up in a welcoming environment and are cherished, loved, and understood.  

CRISTINA GAMUNDI GARCÍA

1. What was the highlight of your fellowship experience?

For me, the highlight of the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship has been getting to serve the immigrant community, alongside an organization that I feel very honored and proud to say that I was a part of. Another highlight was getting to advocate on behalf of a child in a meaningful manner.

2. Has the experience impacted or re-shaped your future goals? If so, how?

This fellowship has reinforced and solidified my decision to work with immigrant children after law school. I recently accepted a fellowship with the Children and Youth Advocacy Unit at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project in Seattle, Washington. I will be serving immigrant, homeless youth who are at a high risk of removal. I will be helping them work towards obtaining legal relief and social services. I would like to sincerely thank the Frankel Family for giving me the opportunity to continue to pursue my dream of serving my community.

3.What’s your dream for immigrant children?

My dream for immigrant children is that they are seen and treated as who they are, which is children---nothing more, nothing less. I continue to work in immigration law because I have hope that one day immigrant children won’t have to be separated from their families, I dream that they won’t have to risk their lives and live beautiful childhoods. I dream that there will be a day where immigrant children will be allowed to just be children.

JOSE HERRERRA

1.What was the highlight of your fellowship experience?

My meetings with my young person. I really enjoyed spending time with him. I brought a notebook and colored pencils and he got to share something he has a passion for with me. Hearing his outlook on life, sports, and music while we drew was an amazing experience for me  

2.Has the experience impacted or re-shaped your future goals? If so, how?

Yes, I want to help these minors in some fashion when I start my career. Whether its working for a non-profit or doing pro-bono or volunteer work I want to continue this work 

3.What’s your dream for immigrant children?

My dream is for them to have a beautiful childhood. I dream that they be in a place where they feel loved and cared for. I dream that they have a childhood full of passioned exploration and they don’t get labeled and boxed in by a system of incompetence.