Tensions are high. The last few months have been difficult, and the recent weeks even harder. The violence that immigrants face has surged back into the national spotlight. Families are exposed to graphic scenes from ICE raids, protests, and violent arrests that are turning deadly.

As two people who joined the immigrant support organization The Welcoming Center right after college — one three years ago, the other eight months ago — the challenges have felt overwhelming. We’re angered by the ways generations before us have fallen short. We are tired, frustrated, and unsatisfied with the world we’ve inherited. Our country is on edge, and we’re feeling helpless trying to respond to it.

Sometimes, when finding hope feels impossible, we think of the one thing that keeps us moving forward: our youth.

During a recent staff meeting, a group of children, ages 10 to 16, visited The Welcoming Center. With a gentle nudge from their parents, they took turns describing how they learned about the violence directed at immigrants. “We were scared that immigrants weren’t safe here,” one young person, age 10, said. “We saw people going to jail, but we didn’t even know if they had proof of them doing something wrong.”

Elizabeth and Julian, parents of some of the youngest kids, then spoke: “A lot of our conversations take place at the dinner table … We know they’re going to hear about what’s going on in the world, but we want them to hear it from us.”

Sometimes, when finding hope feels impossible, we think of the one thing that keeps us moving forward: our youth.

We were in awe of how these children challenged injustice and took action. Through the grapevine of adults, they heard about The Welcoming Center and understood that our organization supports immigrants. From there, they organized a fundraiser for their neighbors and other community members, and in true elementary-middle school fashion, put on a play to support our mission.

The message was clear: If 5th graders can recognize unjust treatment and act against it, then what excuse do we have?

In moments of doubt or helplessness, we reflect on the strength of the children who are growing up in the age of ICE and are reminded that they are the next generation of advocates. They are already naturally choosing empathy.

Sofian Zapf is the Development & Communications Associate at The Welcoming Center.  Louise Bittout is the Associate Director of Communications at The Welcoming Center.

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