I received a phone call in late April one night from a chica who had been with VisibiliT  for about one year. “I have a friend who really needs your help,” she said. “She is on the street and really needs someone, could you please call her? Her name is Elena,” she pleaded. I agreed and I remember the feeling of uncertainty and how fast my heart was beating when I made that call.

I immediately felt Elena’s warmth through the phone and genuinely it is something that 3 months later I am still enveloped in every time in her presence. 


With the support of Mission Meals , VisibiliT was immediately able to connect her with prepared meals and toiletries. A few days after, she was connected with temporary shelter. Months later, she is now closer than ever to securing permanent housing.  


Elena fled Honduras after being persecuted and subjected to transphobic violence. She undertook a dangerous journey through the Northern triangle of Central America and Mexico. She presented herself at the U.S.-Mexico border and was detained by Border Patrol in South Texas. Even though she was seeking protection from persecution and violence in the United States, Elena was imprisoned in ICE custody. She was released by ICE to a family member in the Bay Area who subjected her to even more transphobia. Elena was thrown out of the home and was houseless in San Francisco for five months.


Elena dreams of becoming a certified dog groomer. She has a very close relationship to her mother, who is still in Honduras. Her mother is gravely ill and it has been challenging for Elena to be so far from her while she is ailing. Elena says that she speaks as often as she can with her mother. She shares with her mother about the tangible support she has received through VisibiliT, which brings her mother some peace. Elena dreams of helping provide for her family in Honduras. She feels inspired to support other QTBIPOC to persevere in a world that constantly tries to clip their wings. Regardless of her situation, she has never stopped extending care to her community. Elena has shown time and time again that if she eats, others eat too. She possesses a pure, nurturing spirit and we can’t wait for the larger VisibiliT community to meet her. 


With the uncertainty and postponement of immigration court hearings due to COVID-19, we are calling out to the community to help raise funds that will cover Elena’s basic necessities and any upcoming rent expenses. Obtaining a work permit is an uncertain waiting game prolonged even further via the Trump Administration and she is relying heavily on the support our collective efforts can bring to her. I invite you to share this fundraiser, to donate if you can. All proceeds collected will go to Elena and give her a chance to firmly stand her ground and thrive!