Holly Yzquierdo

Graduation is an exciting time. It elicits mixed feelings of joy, anxiety and a little fear of the unknown. While these feelings are normal for any graduates, we are especially proud of these graduates from our unaccompanied minor program (UMP). Catholic Charities unaccompanied minor program places refugee children into foster homes and helps them acclimate to life in America. These students live in foster homes or an in independent living environment. All of these students have overcome incredible challenges and have a bright future. As these remarkable students graduate from high school, they reflect back on their time in school and the role of Catholic Charities.

“Clifford,” an Air Force veteran in his mid-70s, was living in Colorado when he found out that his niece in Flagstaff, Ariz. had cancer. She didn’t have much time left, so he moved to spend her last days with her, so she would not be alone.

Clifford transferred his social security benefit to Prescott, Ariz., so he could stay, but when his niece passed away, Clifford had nowhere to go. Clifford’s niece’s health deteriorated so quickly, that Clifford lost her in weeks, and with her gone, he also lost his place to live.

Joan was born in 1998 in Myanmar. Her older cousin took her and her brother and fled to Malaysia in 2009. They waited for two years to be granted refugee status.

She found support from Sandra Perez, parent educator with the Parents as Teachers program (PAT). This national program helps parents be their child’s first and most important teacher. The PAT curriculum supports their child’s brain development and ensures that their child develops optimally during the crucial early years of life.

Alma Estrada takes care of her daughters' needs and keeps them safe. When her youngest daughter, Leah, turned 2 months old, she learned about the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program and knew she had much more to discover.