Angel of Freedom

UPDATE:

Your donations have supported Alvaro to obtain his Social Security card, Tennessee drivers license, and purchase plane tickets for his wife and minor daughter to join him in Tennessee this month. Alvaro is working hard and immediately obtained a full time job with Taco Bell once the government approved his work status. He continues to interview for additional positions and search for affordable housing. The primary need is transportation in order to continue working. Any donation amount is helpful and appreciated. Thank you for assisting this amazing family as they legally and respectfully pursue the American dream.

Hello world, my name is Lindsey Sides and I'm a social worker supporting my dear friend Alvaro Rivas on his asylum journey to the United States from Nicaragua. Alvaro is a social services worker who has supported American mission trips to Nicaragua, the American Embassy, Toys for Tots, and local Nicaraguan orphanages his entire adult life. He made a special connection with Uli Reyes, salon owner of Unruli Salon in Franklin, TN and Founder of the Beauti of Hope Foundation, 14 years ago when Uli was in Nicaragua beginning his outreach with Beauti of Hope Foundation. Alvaro worked with over a dozen orphanages and routinely supported the U.S. Embassy with outreach. He helped Uli learn about the region, connect to those in need, and establish the first free beauty school for women and men escaping sex trafficking in Nicaragua. The friendship and the non-profit flourished due to Alvaro's support and community outreach, and a second free beauty school was recently opened. (For those interested in learning more about the nonprofit, please visit, http://www.beautiofhope.org/about-us/)

The political unrest in Nicaragua began to pose threat to American partnerships in recent years. In August of 2021, Alvaro was kidnapped, and he was ordered to leave the country at gunpoint. Nicaraguan police suspected he was a spy due to his work with American government officials and nonprofits. His family was threatened if he did not immediately leave the country, and he quickly packed his bags and said a tearful goodbye to his wife and young children. Alvaro contacted Uli and the two began to communicate to local authorities in America to obtain temporary parole for asylum in Nashville, TN. Today, Alvaro resides in Nashville with sponsorship from his dear friend Uli. His new family at Uruli Salon and Beauti of Hope Foundation are raising money for his immigration lawyer, and hope that you will assist us on this journey. Alvaro is an amazing and inspiring human, who seeks to work in social services and health and wellness once he obtains asylum. He is a kind and loving human who has supported many American missions and goals in his home country. We ask that you now support his life mission to live safely in America.