Ava's 9th Birthday Fundraiser

Dear friends:

Nine years ago now I was wondering when I might meet the little baby who had taken up residence in my belly. So much fear, anxiety, and question filled every waking moment, and loomed over the precious little time I could convince my mind to rest. But mostly: it was joy. Joy to savor the experience, to anticipate new life, to know that inseparable bond that was knit inside my frame, forever changing the way I would see the world.

I couldn't possibly imagine someone ripping her out of my arms. Not then, not now, and not ever. But that's what is happening to so many families in our nation today. Especially in Minnesota, where we are seeing the daily trauma inflicted upon families in our daily news feeds and through frantically captured cell phone video begging for our response. 

Ava and I are so happy. We are safe. True, this year's changes have stretched our bottom line a bit out of our comfort zone, but not a day goes by where we are wanting for our essentials. Most importantly, we enjoy the nearness of one another without threat that our skin color, accent, or status might throw that into jeopardy at any moment. No family should have to worry about the horrors that are becoming common place as ICE terrorizes our communities. 

So in honor of 9 years of the gift of her life, I'm asking you to donate to an organization that is dedicated to help.

Here's a bit more about Unidos MN:

Unidos MN (formerly known as Navigate MN) is a grassroots organization that builds power with Minnesota's working families to advance social, racial and economic justice. As an organization born from the DREAMER movement, the topics of immigration, education, and climate justice are at the core of our work. We are an intersectional, intergenerational, women, Latine-led organization

We believe in: 

*COMMUNITY coming together and being in relationship with one another to transform the systems and institutions that affect us.  

*LEADERSHIP development support for working-class and mixed-status Latinxs that honors our cultural wealth and provides community-led strategies and solutions.

*POWER that comes from being relationship with one another and holds those in office accountable to our missions, vision and values. We build power trough campaigns that develop our members’ abilities to lead our organization, our movement, and society. 

We see a Minnesota that honors the inherent dignity and worth of all living beings - regardless of age, race, class, gender identity, dis/ability and/or immigration status. 

Your contribution will help us implement our policy initiatives, making a lasting impact on healthcare access, education, immigrant rights, and environmental justice in Minnesota. Join us in building a more just and equitable Minnesota.

Please help. Showing my girl how her village shows up in her honor has been the most humbling gift I can giver her each year. This year, our people in Minnesota are in need of our attention in never-before-seen magnitude. If you'd like to consider more ways to help, check out this site for more information and more places to donate: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/Happiest birthday, my sweet peanut. What an honor to be your mother. May I live up to the privilege it is to keep you close. <3