Local Awareness Can Start Young

It all started with the sharing of stories of real families crossing our border to find safety and work, an open-hearted pastor, a willing religious education teacher, and dozens of eager grade schoolers. At Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Palmyra, PA, September meant collecting donations to fill hygiene kits for migrant children and their families. The children in grades 1-6 collected enough toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorants, combs, soaps, washcloths, blankets, and handmade cards to fill 125 drawstring bags which will help families who have nothing when they arrive at the International Bridge in Brownsville, Texas. 

October 16th was “assembly day” and the Holy Spirit kids were excited to pack a total of 9 boxes and over 300 lbs of necessities for other kids they will probably never meet. They learned along the way how children just like them would be given these kits by volunteers from Team Brownsville, a group that has been helping provide urgent necessities, temporary shelter, and assistance to find the next destinations for migrant families. The children at Holy Spirit were eager to share while also learning how much these bags of basic items will mean so much.

Consider doing this Local Advocacy Action project with your church or community group to educate youth about the plight of migrant children and their families in a positive way. A “Local Awareness Toolkit” is below to help you start this and other projects.

Local Awareness Toolkit

Legislative Toolkit

Border Activism Toolkit