What an honor to get to know the families sheltering in our apartments. The women are strong, good-natured, resourceful, and resilient. A perfect example is one mom, Maria, fleeing with her daughter for their lives. They had hoped to obtain an appointment on the CBP One app for their first interview to enter the US. They have waited months for the appointment, and now, following the recent presidential election results, they need to redirect their dreams. One of her dreams was to start a little bakery. So, we at Voices upgraded one of the stoves to include an oven and provided a small grant for her to purchase basic supplies and jump start her dream.
When we arrived at the apartments last week, she proudly presented us with the MOST beautiful AND delicious Tres Leches cake, which we shared with all of our current guests. She is now selling Pan de Elote (cornbread) and plans to make the popular Chocoflan to sell in Nogales. (Chocoflan is a Mexican dessert that combines a rich chocolate cake with a creamy flan, and is also known as pastel imposible or "impossible cake”.)
As the migration landscape changes with the incoming Republican administration, we may find ourselves offering more of this type of support - helping folks get settled and start new lives in Nogales.
~ Linda de Kort Voices Board Member
Migrant Services Team Member
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