Financial Assistance for Asylum Seeking Family

In late August, the Martinez-Sosa family arrived in Central Oregon after years of persecution in their native Honduras. After the murders of several of Gabriel’s family members, the loss of their family home to arson, years of harassment and living on the run, Gabriel and Jackeline found what they thought was an oasis in a corner of La Ceiba, Honduras. They celebrated the birth of their daughter, Kathleen, and Jackeline finished a five-year nursing program. But in May of last year, they were again under threat of extreme violence. The Martinez-Sosas could no longer stay in Honduras. After an arduous and dangerous journey through Guatemala and Mexico, they arrived on the US border near Hidalgo, Texas and asked for asylum in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention.

Today, the Martinez-Sosa's are our neighbors and new friends here in Central Oregon and they need our help to rebuild their lives and find safety in their new community. They have a daughter in preschool and are expecting the birth of their second daughter in July. Without the ability to get a work visa, which is not allowed during the months long asylum application process, it is critical for our community to come together and provide them financial support to bridge the gap until the application is approved.