Help Erika Through This Uncertain Time

I am setting up this fundraiser on behalf of my friend and coworker Erika. Most of you will know her because at some point in the last two years she has taken care of your child as a Yellow Duck teacher. Erika and I both started working at NQACC within a week of each other, and we have shared both incredible moments of joy and happiness, as well as the hard days that come with childcare.

If you know her, you know that she is a truly wonderful person; she’s kind, positive, funny, and beyond hardworking. When Erika came to the US, she didn’t know any English and managed to learn with incredible speed. Many days she made my life better just by being in it, and she is a huge reason why I love my job so much.

Erika came to the US from Venezuela and was able to get a working visa because at the time she was given Temporary Protection Status. She has been here legally the entire time, has been paying taxes like you and I, making herself a part of the community and working her way forward in life with determination and grit.

Our current administration has revoked TPS for all Venezuelans, meaning that Erika no longer may live and work in the US. Though she has begun the long and laborious process of applying for citizenship, she cannot submit her paperwork until the end of April. Currently, as far as we know, Erika will have to leave the country by April 7th. Her paperwork will be submitted after she leaves, but even if her application is approved, she will not be able to return for at least six months.

Going back to Venezuela is not an option for her. Currently, she is applying for a working visa for Mexico, so she can hopefully find a job there in the interim.

As you can imagine, this is an incredibly stressful and scary time for Erika with so many unknowns. Whatever happens moving forward, the most beneficial thing that we can all do for Erika is to give her some sense of security by making sure that she doesn’t have to worry about her financial situation while she is in transition.

If you are in a position to help, it would mean so much to me, Erika, and everyone who works with her. Thank you!