Holly Yzquierdo

Children are placed for adoption for many reasons. Often a young woman finds herself pregnant and unable to care for a new baby. Many children, who are adopted, wonder why their parents couldn’t keep them. They have a deep longing to know their story and their birth parents.

Adopted as a baby, Anna longed to know her birth mother but felt afraid she would be rejected. After many years, she decided to write a letter to her birth mother through Catholic Charities.

The availability of computers onsite helped her to create her resume and apply for suitable positions online. Her efforts paid off, she landed a customer service job and has started working. Now, with an employed status, she'll qualify for housing and be on her way to finding a new home for her family.

Gloria made the perilous journey to the United States (U.S.) from Honduras at the age of 16 with her infant son. She was fleeing the violence and gangs that permeated her life.

After arriving in the U.S., Gloria and her son were accepted into the unaccompanied minor program (UMP) at Catholic Charities. This started her on a path of safety and hope.