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We are grateful to the 500 friends and supporters who joined us Friday, May 17 for our annual “Cafecito” fundraiser. The Co-Chairs for this year’s event were Megan Barry, Metro Nashville Councilwoman; and Kate Herman, publisher of the Nashville Business Journal.

Megan and Kate shared the stories of their German and Irish immigrant ancestors, whose one-time persecution in America is one of the reasons they connect with the trials — and triumphs — of today’s Latino immigrants.

“In this highly-contentious time as our nation debates immigration reform, I am reminded that there was an era Americans didn’t want to extend citizenship to German-Americans and they wanted to restrict the rights of foreign-born citizens.

The names of streets, towns, schools and foods were changed from German to English, German-language books were banned, homes were vandalized and German-Americans accused of being pro-German were tarred and feathered.
100-years-ago Kate and I also would have been marginalized just for being women.

When we take dignity and opportunities away from people, we all lose… Just like we all win when everyone around us has a path to reach their full human potential. — Megan Barry

Kate and Megan’s stories, and photos of their great-great-great grandparents, were powerful and thought-provoking.  We were all appreciative of their sharing a bit of themselves, reminding us that we’re not all that different, after all.

The Dream Within Reach

The video titled “The Dream Within Reach” featured four participants in our programs and services: Ruth Rico, a graduate of our Negocio Prospero small business class and owner of two local businesses, including Delicias Colombianas; Magda Velander and Tina Ortiz, who are paired in our Conversemos language exchange program; and Cesar Molina, a high school student who is waiting to receive  a work permit to allow him to study and work legally in the United States.

You can watch the video here:

Each person featured offers a glimpse at the quest to fulfill a dream — whether to open a restaurant, improve a language skill or become an integral member of life in Middle Tennessee by moving out of the shadows in which the undocumented often live. The stories of Ruth, Magda, Tina and Cesar, in particular, remind us that our city must embrace its changing demographics and our citizens cannot afford to waste anyone’s potential.

To that end, as our nation engages in the conversation about immigration reform, we asked those who attended the Cafecito to sign cards we are sending to Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker urging them to support comprehensive immigration reform as proposed by the bi-partisan “Gang of 8.” We collected 446 signed postcards, which we will be mailing to the senators.

As Nashvillians, it is in the best interest of our city and its future prosperity to ensure people have a reasonable opportunity to come to this country through a safe, legal and orderly process, to work and improve their lives with dignity and respect, and to live under the full protection of our laws.

You can hear Cesar’s inspiring words in this short video:

¡Gracias!

To those who joined us this year, muchas gracias, again! To those who could not attend, we hope you will consider sending us a gift to support our mission through an online donation.

You also can keep up to date with us through this Blog and Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Renata Soto
Executive Director