Two sisters – ages seven and eight – were facing challenges unfamiliar to most children their age. Their mother Elena (not her real name), a monolingual Spanish speaker, was preparing to leave their father because of an abusive situation in the home. The father responded by threatening Elena with violence and planned to notify U.S. immigration authorities that Elena was not a U.S. citizen. The sisters were afraid that their mother would be sent away and they would have to live with their abusive father.
Thankfully, Elena reached out to Las Cumbres’ Santuario del Corazón (SDC) program for assistance, explains Carla Corriz, SDC Family Navigator.
Together, Elena and SDC obtained a restraining order against the father.
As a result, Elena and the girls felt much safer - but the family still faced the challenges of economic survival without their father’s support. Elena, who has a disability, had no income to provide for the girls.
SDC continued to assist, helping Elena file for custody of the girls and child support from their father. Corriz, the SDC Family Navigator, also stepped in to apply for food assistance, Medicaid, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families for the children.
Today, the family’s life has stabilized. The girls are helping Elena with her English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and admire their mother for her persistence in keeping the family together and healthy – and for remaining positive throughout the journey.
This family’s story is both unique and all too common. Many immigrant families struggle with language barriers, racism, social judgment, and understandable trauma from their relocation journey. "I advocate for this population and their journey by providing emotional support, navigation, interpretation, and access to education while allowing them to hold on to the beauty of their own culture,” said Corriz. “I find happiness witnessing how my clients adapt and succeed through the challenges they face.”