The holiday season is a time to celebrate, to give and receive gifts, and to remember the many blessings we have been given.
But this time of year isn’t always one of joyous celebration. For the staff and children at a school in Pittsburgh, PA, the holidays brings back the memories of the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue, an act of hatred that took the lives of 11 innocent people.
In the aftermath of the attack, however, a school official says the community was “overwhelmed and inspired by thousands of acts of kindness and outreach…that brought immeasurable comfort.”
The school, which prefers not to be named for safety reasons, decided to pay forward the kindness and compassion they had received. In solidarity with migrants, staff and students joined together to create 34 hand-written cards of encouragement to families in immigration detention through LIRS’ Hope for the Holidays campaign.
“It is our hope that these message of peace, hope, healing, and strength bring you some small measure of comfort as you too have suffered greatly and are on our minds and in our hearts every day.”
– Ms. M., Head of School
This year, thousands of families will spend the holiday season in immigration detention or held on the southern side of the U.S.-Mexico border, waiting to secure safety for themselves and their families. Please join the thoughtful students and school staff in writing a holiday card of encouragement to migrants impacted by the immigration detention system. Learn more.