She’s given so much to her students and our town — now she needs us.

Quick Summary

• Who: A beloved Spanish teacher who’s been part of the Winchester community since 2018. Her identity will be kept private for her safety.

• What: She’s losing her work permit on November 7 because the government is terminating TPS for Venezuelans.

• Why: She needs help paying legal fees and living costs while she applies for asylum and isn’t allowed to work for about 6 months.

A dedicated teacher who has given her heart to our community is now at risk of losing everything due to an unjust immigration policy change. Let’s come together to help her stay safe, supported, and housed while she fights for her legal right to remain in the U.S.

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Her Story

In 2018, a talented Spanish teacher arrived in Winchester, Virginia, through a cultural exchange program that allowed her to share her language, culture, and love for education with hundreds of local students. She came from Venezuela — a country in crisis — with her husband and teenage son, hoping for stability, safety, and a chance to rebuild their lives.

From the moment she arrived, she gave her all.

She built relationships with students who saw her as more than a teacher — as a mentor, a listener, and a source of encouragement. She brought joy and passion to her classrooms, always going above and beyond to help others learn, grow, and feel seen. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine care made her one of the most beloved educators in the Winchester school community.

Her son graduated high school with honors, went on to pursue a degree in filmmaking, and is now a hardworking and creative young professional contributing to the Winchester area. Her family has become part of the very fabric of this town.

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What Happened

After completing the five-year cultural exchange program, she applied for and was granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — a humanitarian program that allows individuals from unsafe countries to live and work in the United States.

But despite having followed every rule, paid every tax, and served this community faithfully, her world is about to collapse.

On November 7, her TPS will expire, and the current administration has decided to terminate TPS protections for Venezuelans. This means she will lose her work permit and will no longer be allowed to teach, even though Venezuela remains in deep political and humanitarian crisis — and even though she has no valid passport or legal way to return.

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Her Only Option

Her only option to remain in the U.S. legally is to apply for political asylum — a lengthy, expensive, and emotionally draining process.

During this period, asylum applicants must remain unemployed for at least 150 days before being eligible to request a new work permit.

That means six months without income.

Six months without the job she loves.

Six months of uncertainty for her family.

On top of that, she must pay $8,000 in legal fees to process her asylum case, while continuing to support her husband — who has been receiving ongoing medical and psychiatric care — and maintain a modest home.

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Her Health and Courage

In 2022, she faced another life-threatening challenge: congestive heart failure due to renal failure. Doctors said she would need a heart and kidney transplant.

But through a combination of faith, holistic healing, and sheer willpower, she miraculously recovered and returned to teaching. Her story is one of strength, resilience, and grace in the face of adversity.

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Why We’re Raising Funds

We are asking for $40,000 to help cover:

• Legal fees for her asylum application ($8,000)

• Living expenses for six months while she is unable to work

• Medical and therapeutic care for her and her husband

• Basic needs like rent, food, and transportation

This is a family that has given so much — and now they need us to stand with them.

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Why It Matters

It’s heartbreaking that a teacher who has uplifted so many children — who represents everything good about our schools and our community — could be forced into financial and emotional ruin because of inconsistent immigration policies.

She deserves stability, dignity, and the right to continue living in the country she has served with love and integrity.

This is not charity — it’s justice, compassion, and gratitude in action.

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How You Can Help

Please donate whatever you can. Every dollar helps cover a day of rent, a meal, or a legal form filed toward her freedom.

If you cannot give, please share this story widely. Let’s remind the world that behind every policy, there is a human being — a teacher, a mother, a neighbor — who deserves safety and hope.

Together, we can keep her story — and her light — alive.

Una maestra dedicada que ha entregado su corazón a nuestra comunidad está en riesgo de perderlo todo debido a un cambio injusto en las políticas migratorias. Unámonos para ayudarla a mantenerse segura, apoyada y con un techo mientras lucha por su derecho legal a permanecer en los Estados Unidos.

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Su historia

En 2018, una talentosa maestra de español llegó a Winchester, Virginia, a través de un programa de intercambio cultural que le permitió compartir su idioma, su cultura y su amor por la enseñanza con cientos de estudiantes locales. Llegó desde Venezuela —un país en crisis— junto a su esposo y su hijo adolescente, con la esperanza de encontrar estabilidad, seguridad y una nueva oportunidad de vida.

Desde el primer día, entregó su alma a su labor.

Construyó relaciones con sus estudiantes, quienes la veían no solo como maestra, sino como mentora, consejera y fuente de inspiración. Su alegría, profesionalismo y dedicación dejaron huella profunda en las aulas y en los corazones de quienes tuvieron el privilegio de conocerla.

Su hijo se graduó de la escuela secundaria con honores, continuó sus estudios en cine, y hoy es un joven profesional trabajador y creativo que aporta su talento a la comunidad de Winchester. Esta familia ya forma parte del alma de esta ciudad.

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Lo que está pasando

Después de completar su programa de cinco años, ella obtuvo el Estatus de Protección Temporal (TPS), un beneficio humanitario que permite a personas de países inseguros vivir y trabajar en los Estados Unidos.

Sin embargo, a pesar de haber seguido cada regla, pagado cada impuesto y servido con amor a esta comunidad, su vida está a punto de derrumbarse.

El 7 de noviembre, su TPS expira, y el gobierno actual ha decidido terminar las protecciones del TPS para los venezolanos. Esto significa que perderá su permiso de trabajo y no podrá continuar enseñando, a pesar de que Venezuela sigue en crisis y de que no tiene forma legal de regresar.

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Su única opción

La única alternativa para permanecer legalmente en el país es solicitar asilo político, un proceso largo, costoso y emocionalmente agotador.

Durante este trámite, la ley exige que el solicitante no trabaje durante 150 días, es decir, seis meses sin ingresos.

Además, debe pagar $8,000 en honorarios legales, mantener su hogar y apoyar a su esposo, quien recibe atención médica y psiquiátrica constante.

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Su salud y fortaleza

En 2022 enfrentó una grave crisis de salud: insuficiencia cardíaca congestiva y fallo renal. Los médicos dijeron que necesitaría un trasplante de corazón y riñón, pero gracias a su fe, su disciplina y tratamientos alternativos, logró recuperarse y volver a enseñar. Su vida es un testimonio de esperanza y resistencia.

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Por qué necesitamos tu ayuda

Estamos recaudando $40,000 para cubrir:

• Los costos legales de su solicitud de asilo ($8,000)

• Gastos básicos durante seis meses sin trabajo

• Atención médica y terapéutica para ella y su esposo

• Vivienda, alimentación y transporte

Esta familia ha dado tanto a nuestra comunidad —ahora es nuestro turno de darles a ellos.

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Por qué importa

Es devastador que una maestra que ha inspirado a tantos niños —que representa lo mejor de nuestra comunidad— pueda perderlo todo por la incoherencia de un sistema migratorio que no protege a quienes más lo merecen.

Ella merece estabilidad, dignidad y la oportunidad de seguir viviendo en el país que ayudó a fortalecer con su trabajo y su corazón.

Esto no es caridad; es justicia, compasión y gratitud.

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Cómo puedes ayudar

Tu donación, sin importar el monto, marcará una diferencia. Cada dólar ayuda a cubrir un día de renta, una comida o un documento legal hacia su libertad.

Si no puedes donar, comparte esta historia. Hagamos visible lo invisible: detrás de cada política hay un ser humano —una maestra, una madre, una vecina— que merece seguridad y esperanza.

Juntos podemos mantener viva su luz.