Washington, DC, April 7, 2015 – The DC-MD-VA Coalition in Support of Children Fleeing Violence in Central America is announcing the release of the report of a regional Summit on Children Seeking Refuge held on January 22nd 2015 at the University of the District of Columbia.
More than 100 professionals representing different areas of service came together at the beginning of this year to discuss this important issue, to exchange information and resources, and to brainstorm ideas for better serving unaccompanied children who have been reunited with family and are now part of our local communities.
They are an extremely vulnerable population and are, according to President Obama’s Executive Action, a priority for deportation. For most who are here, and continue to arrive, returning to the violent communities they fled means becoming a victim of extortion, torture, rape or death.
The report summarizes the information presented at the summit and highlights the challenges, promising practices, recommendations and next steps identified during the breakout group discussions in the areas of legal services, health, mental health, education, beyond the classroom (afterschool, recreational activities) and social services.
WHO: DC-MD-VA Coalition in Support of Children Fleeing Violence in Central America. Representatives from CARECEN, Ayuda and the Latin American Youth Center will be speaking at the event.
WHAT: Press conference to release the “Summit Report on Central American Children Seeking Refuge: A Washington, DC Regional Response to Support Children Fleeing Violence”. Service providers will discuss challenges that children seeking refuge and their families face, current gaps in services, and recommendations for better serving and advocating on behalf of this population.
WHERE: In front of St. John’s Church at Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, Washington, DC 20005. The church plaza is across from the White House and it is where our Coalition held weekly vigils in support of children fleeing violence between July and November, 2014.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 2:00-3:00 pm
They are an extremely vulnerable population and are, according to President Obama’s Executive Action, a priority for deportation. For most who are here, and continue to arrive, returning to the violent communities they fled means becoming a victim of extortion, torture, rape or death.
The report summarizes the information presented at the summit and highlights the challenges, promising practices, recommendations and next steps identified during the breakout group discussions in the areas of legal services, health, mental health, education, beyond the classroom (afterschool, recreational activities) and social services.
WHO: DC-MD-VA Coalition in Support of Children Fleeing Violence in Central America. Representatives from CARECEN, Ayuda and the Latin American Youth Center will be speaking at the event.
WHAT: Press conference to release the “Summit Report on Central American Children Seeking Refuge: A Washington, DC Regional Response to Support Children Fleeing Violence”. Service providers will discuss challenges that children seeking refuge and their families face, current gaps in services, and recommendations for better serving and advocating on behalf of this population.
WHERE: In front of St. John’s Church at Lafayette Square, 1525 H Street, Washington, DC 20005. The church plaza is across from the White House and it is where our Coalition held weekly vigils in support of children fleeing violence between July and November, 2014.
WHEN: Tuesday, April 14, 2015 2:00-3:00 pm
