Dear friends and family,

We write to you with heavy hearts and a simple plea for compassion. Jerdi, a 26-year-old mother from Venezuela, and her 7-year-old daughter, Yormari, are stranded in New York City—alone, frightened, and unable to speak the language. Her husband, José, a gentle and hardworking man many of us knew, was recently deported from Chicago after enduring inhumane conditions in detention. The family had crossed the perilous Darién Gap seeking only safety, food, and the dignity of honest work.

While we do not condone unlawful migration, we recognize the desperate circumstances that led them here. Our goal now is to help Jerdi and Yormari return home safely to reunite with José without the trauma of detention. If you are able, even what might be spent on a coffee or a meal could collectively help this mother and child travel home with hope and dignity intact.

The season of giving is upon us, and we would be deeply grateful if you might include Jerdi and Yormari in your kindness this year. As Anne Frank wrote, “No one has ever become poor by giving.” Your generosity, no matter how modest, can help restore the wholeness of one small family and affirm the quiet power of human goodness.

If you are unable to give financially, we would be equally grateful if you could share resources or contacts in New York who might offer guidance or temporary assistance, and keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.

With gratitude and warmth,

Jen, Tracy, and Sonal