(This picture is from Thisisabouthumanity.com)

For our first event of 2021, we are so excited to work with our friend, Shauna McGlynn who is leading the Bay Area chapter to support a program called “This Is About Humanity” (https://www.thisisabouthumanity.com/) that works to support separated and reunified families at the border. Here is Shauna’s description of her journey getting involved with this great cause.

“Growing up in San Diego with good friends and schoolmates who resided across the border, I felt like I was somewhat familiar with what was happening there. The last few years have shown me that I was not as knowledgeable as I thought and the situation is beyond dire.  The number of children and families in need of our compassion, care, and protection has grown tremendously.    People coming for asylum face such danger at home that risking separation and a dangerous border crossing is a better option for them than to stay where they are.  As a mother, it guts me every time I see those children wailing for their parents.

This Is About Humanity, an organization founded by my dear childhood friend, Yolanda Walther-Meade, her sister Elsa Collins, and Zoe Winkler Reinis, has stepped up in a major way to improve the outcomes for these children and families.  Their mission is to create a community of allies and advocates dedicated to raising awareness surrounding separated and reunified families and children at the US-Mexico border. Their projects and volunteer efforts are having a profound effect on the shelters and living situations in which these children exist. They are providing updated and improved living spaces in shelters, fresh food and new clothing, learning opportunities, teachers and school supplies, toys, birthday celebrations for the children, holiday events among many other things.

This Is About Humanity is also partnering with legal organizations to represent these children and families in their asylum cases and reunification. That is where I, and I hope YOU, come in.  I have signed up to be the lead of the first Bay Area Drive Thru event supporting these children and families who have been recently reunified or soon will be.  We have partnered with KIND (Kids In Need of Defense), a pro bono legal movement to provide representation to families in all aspects of their asylum hearings and working with social services, to support a list of clients with school supplies, food, clothing, toys, and a few moments of joy and fun.”

Open can’t wait to help this effort. There will be several opportunities coming soon!   Open will be involved in filling wish lists for several families and children. Also, there will be an opportunity to sort donations of clothing and toys that will go to families and children.  Stay tuned as we should have details and a Signup Genius coming out within the next two weeks.

Can’t wait to see you all!