Emergency Funds for Mercedes and Joselyn

In times of COVID-19 and social distancing help us reunite a mother with her 7-year-old daughter Joselyn. Mercedes is a 33-year-old, indigenous Guatemalan mother, who came to the United States in search of a better life for her children and to escape the gang violence threatening her 15-year-old son Armando. In her own words, Mercedes wishes for her children “to be able to receive a proper education and succeed in life”, and she hopes she can “provide a stable and safe home for my children”. In pursuit of these hopes, Mercedes made the courageous decision to embark on a journey from rural Guatemala to resettle in Upper Darby, PA, where she has found some peace with her children. Mercedes found work packing fruit for $50 per day, and Armando helped by picking up shifts as a cleaner.

One morning, Mercedes used the last of her family’s food to make breakfast for her children, and traveled to her employer in New Jersey to collect her owed wages. Her employer made her wait more than three hours before finally giving her the payment. Meanwhile at home, Armando was called into work, and believing Mercedes would return any minute, he left Joselyn alone in the house. When Mercedes arrived home, she found the police waiting for her.  

Mercedes never intended to leave Joselyn home by herself, but was unable to explain herself to the police due to their language barrier. Mercedes spent more than 3 months incarcerated in county jail, and her children were moved to a neighboring state with a family member, only being able to communicate once with their mother. Mercedes is now free, thanks to the efforts of a Public Defender. She was released last Friday, and her only priority is being reunited with her children, especially Joselyn who has suffered immense trauma being separated from her mother at such a young age. Please join us in raising the funds needed to reunite a family and allow this family to get back on their feet. Amidst an unprecedented pandemic, the need to provide a safe space to shelter in place and access to food has never been more important. All donation amounts are welcomed and appreciated!