Dear Friends of ISS-USA,  

A 16 year old girl from Honduras has arrived at our border after a 1500 mile journey during which she was subjected to violence, exposure to the extreme elements, lack of food and water, and worst of all, constant, unyielding fear. We ask ourselves, "Why would anyone undertake such a journey?" The simple answer is, that her family, like tens of thousands of other families from Central America, was forced to make the heartbreaking decision that this journey, with all its dangers, was a BETTER option than the danger she faced if she remained in Honduras.

Yet, the uncertainty of this girl's future, and thousands like her, does not end when she enters the United States. Maybe she will find the family members she hoped to connect with when she gets here. Or maybe she will be released to the custody of someone who does not have her best interest at heart. Maybe she will be very lucky and successfully obtain legal status through the courts. Or maybe she will attend her immigration hearings and be deported back to Honduras, only to try again to make the arduous journey back here in the relentless pursuit of a safe and healthy life.

As the U.S. tries to cope with the unprecedented number of children that have traveled to the U.S. in recent months, I urge you to read their stories, and regardless of your views on immigration, remember that they are children, without the care and protection of their families. When they are here, it is our human obligation, as Americans with many freedoms, not least of which to raise our children without fear of violence, to protect these newly arriving children and provide adequate care and support. They do not belong in refugee-like camps, warehouses, or vacated office buildings, but with appropriate families. (Read more here and here). In the short term, I am heartened by those coming forward to try to provide families and family-based care for these children. I just learned today that some states are connecting their providers with opportunities to be approved to provide more child appropriate shelter. Faith communities around the country are also asking how families in their communities can help by offering shelter in families.

Every child deserves to be treated with the same rights and dignity, regardless of where they come from, and where they will live. ISS-USA, has partnered with others, to develop user friendly, globally accepted, United Nations approved, best practices on how to care for children without parental care.  Without structure or a plan, the Obama administration's well-intentioned decision to boost funding for this challenge could be wasted. We need to insist that our government, and all those tasked with the care of these children, seek out the expertise of ISS-USA and other child welfare and social service professionals, use globally accepted best practices, and develop short and long term plans that take into account the cross border legal, and social needs of these children.

Best wishes,

Julie   

ISS LEADERSHIP at Home and Abroad: 90 Years of Connecting Kids with Families Across Borders

Julie & Bob

Bob Miles, Chair and Mary Mentaberry Vice-Chair and Julie Rosicky, Executive Director attended ISS' International Council meeting in Cascais, Portugal.  "There were several fantastic outcomes of this meeting," states executive director, Julie Rosicky, "First, we were able to demonstrate the significant progress made in the development and implementation of the network wide strategic plan. Second, Julie completed her two terms as the chair of the Professional Advisory Committee, and Fionn Skiotis, Executive Director of ISS Australia was elected to succeed her. Finally, Bob Miles, outgoing ISS-USA Board Chair, was elected chair of the Governing Board.  We are confident that Bob will build upon the great foundation that the outgoing governance has built and lead the new group to enhance its global capacity to serve more children and families world- wide, in its 90th year."

Mary

One week following Bob's election to chair the International Governing Board, the ISS-USA Board of Directors held its annual meeting at Levick, in Washington DC.  Mary Mentaberry was elected to serve a as the organization's chair.  Mary served for nearly 40 years with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.  She stated "I am honored to be elected to serve as chair during our organization's 90th Anniversary year, as ISS-USA embarks on the most ambitious and challenging course in its history."