Help support Rosa and her children
GoFundMe Appeal sponsored by UUCP Refugee Support Team
We are members of a refugee support team sponsored by UUCP (Gill Hamilton, Mary Margaret Magee, Peggy Mullan, Cherie Stafford, and Linda Vance), and are currently working to help a new friend who recently immigrated from South America. Rosa is 29 years old, with a 9-year-old daughter and a 4-month-old son. We began working with Rosa as volunteer English tutors—she knows English is the key to success in our country—but very soon fell in love with the whole family as they work to integrate themselves into American life.
It’s important to know that Rosa came here legally and has a clear pathway to citizenship. She is a loving mom to her kids; when asked what she needs, she offers two responses: 1) anything that her kids need and 2) more and more opportunities to learn and practice English. She’s a quick and eager student, always focused and prepared to work hard.
Rosa found work about a month ago, but she was fired after just two weeks when she called in because her newborn was sick and daycare would not accept him. Until that day, she had taken the bus to work, commuting 1.5 hours each way. She has already found another job, this one with a much shorter commute but variable hours, sure to present other challenges. She expects to take home a bit less than $2,000 per month; her rent for a tiny, 1-bedroom apartment is $1,300–well over half her total income–and that does not include utilities. She does have some childcare support for her newborn. She currently receives a stipend each month for food stamps, but that will be cut back because she is working. Clearly, Rosa is struggling to make ends meet. If she cannot find a way to close the gap, she may be forced to return to her home country.
Rosa came to the US through a local not-for-profit, but this sponsoring agency cannot support her financially on an ongoing basis. Her educational certificates and college experience are in technology, but she lacks the English proficiency needed to apply for work in those fields. To this point, she has worked in housekeeping and food services and is open to any kind of respectable work as long as it will support her family.
Rosa wants so much to stay in the United States where she can raise her children in freedom and give them a safe and decent life. When asked about her biggest fear, it is that she could be separated from her children if they are deported. Every one of us can understand that, especially in light of the current political climate. She is proud, hardworking, and determined to succeed. Will you help her?
Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support Rosa with rental assistance as she continues to work on her English. This may sound like a great deal of money, but with the rising costs of rent in the Phoenix metro area, it will go fast.
Please consider a gift within your means to help this young family. We believe that if Rosa can get over the huge challenge of securing a safe and stable home for her children, she will do the rest. Her attitude, tenacity, and optimism have convinced us of that. Thank you!
For more information, contact refugeesupport@phoenixuu.org .