FYI,
REFORMA – the National Association to Promote Library & Information Services to Latinos & the Spanish Speaking, is a proud affiliate of the American Library Association and we need your help and partnership.
Since 2014, the REFORMA Children in Crisis Project (CIC) has partnered with REFORMA chapters, non-profit organizations, community groups and individuals to get books and public library information into the hands of unaccompanied youth, arriving from Central America. The support was generous and we are proud of the work accomplished.
Since then, U.S. border policies have changed a number of times. As of today, we are inundated with a record number of appeals for help by shelters across the country requesting books for the youth and children currently seeking asylum. Our resources are exhausted and need to be restocked. Once they are restored, we are ready to distribute, sort and mail the books to the US/Mexico border and to shelters around the country.
This is a Call to Action and here are some ways that you can help:
· Donate Spanish and Spanish/English bilingual books for teens and children
· Donate funds to help purchase additional books
· Ask vendors, distributors, authors and publishers you work with to donate books to us by contacting ...@reforma.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" title="mailto:c...@reforma.org">c...@reforma.org
· Identify and connect with organizations in your area that work with asylum seekers
· Highlight any libraries that are involved in assisting youth seeking asylum
Here is the link to the Children in Crisis donation button.
refugeechildren.wixsite.com/refugee-children/donate
The peak of the arrival of unaccompanied minors, according to sources, has not been reached so this is not a problem that will resolve itself soon. It is a situation that we need to address together and immediately.
If you have any questions about the CIC Project and/or are interested in assisting in any way please send an email to ...@reforma.org" style="color: #2199e8; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;" title="mailto:c...@reforma.org">c...@reforma.org.
Thanks in advance for your generosity,
-Patrick Sullivan & Oralia Garza de Cortes
Co-Chairs of REFORMA's Children in Crisis Project
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