Posts by mseijas
José: A Journey of Miles, Emotions, and Hope
In 2024, José was informed by his parents, “We need to go.” This 14-year-old’s world completely changed when he was forced to flee Cuba. He left behind his friends, his family, his dog, and the life that was familiar to him — carrying the weight of loss alongside the hope of finding a dignified life, opportunities to fulfill his dreams,…
Read MoreCareer Advancement Program Success Story: How Ana Found Stability, Dignity, and a New Beginning
What would it take for you to leave everything familiar behind — your home, your language, your community, and even two of your children — just to be safe? For Ana, that question was not theoretical. In 2024, threats, extortion, and domestic violence forced her to flee Guatemala with her 5-year-old daughter, while making the heartbreaking…
Read MoreTrauma Revisited: Refugee Detentions Stoke Fear
“Being a refugee is not a privilege … Nobody wants to be a refugee,” says Edward Mosantu. He speaks from experience. In 1997, Edward fled violence and instability in DR Congo, seeking safety and stability as a refugee in South Africa before moving to the U.S. on the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. Today, he works as…
Read MoreFebruary 24, 2022 — The Day the Ukraine War Reached Home
On February 24, 2022, at 5:00 in the morning, Iryna woke up to the words that would divide her life into “before” and “after.” The television had stayed on through the night, and Putin’s voice filled the room. Russia had begun what he called a “special operation.” At first, her mind refused to accept it. Wars, earthquakes,…
Read MoreClimbing Beyond Borders: A Day of Courage, Laughter, and Rock Walls
Twenty years ago, Julyanna and her family came to the U.S. seeking medical assistance for her sister. Coming from the northeastern coast of Brazil, they faced more than just a language barrier in their new life. Along with the mixed emotions of leaving behind their people, food, culture, and lifestyle, came the lingering feeling of…
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