If you were to walk a mile in Mariel Vallano's shoes, it would likely lead you to one of many storage areas she and other volunteers gather shoes, clothing, diapers, and other much-needed items donated for the migrants who have been bused to D.C. from Texas and Arizona the last eight months.
On Saturday, Vallano and other volunteers with the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network sorted out their supplies inside a Northeast D.C. storage unit.
"We're doing pretty well. There are a lot of generous people in the city who want to help out our most recently-arrived residents. We keep our diapers here, a lot of baby supplies, shoes, clothing, things like that. We have other storage facilities where we keep over-the-counter medicines, coats, and other things people need," said Vallano, a core organizer with the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network. "We can always use diapers. There are between 500 and 600 folks here in D.C., and two-thirds of them are kids. A lot of them are still in diapers."
Since April, governors in Texas and Arizona have sent more than 9,000 migrants apprehended at the Mexico border to D.C., and thousands others to New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
While the donations have been flowing in, Vallano said they are still in need of specific items to help these families acclimate to the cold winters here.
"We need warm clothing, warm winter coats. We get a lot of donations of winter items, but sometimes it's not enough. People coming from a tropical climate, they're not going to just wear a sweatshirt today. People are going to want to be more bundled up because they're really feeling the cold. So, definitely [we need] heavy warm winter coats that are in good condition, hats, gloves, scarves for adults all the way through babies and toddlers," Vallano said.
Additionally, Vallano is hoping the generosity continues through the holiday season.
While so many people are eager to donate in the weeks leading up to the holidays, Vallano said she hopes people keep the children in mind.
"We're also looking for Christmas gifts. We want to celebrate Christmas. We want to give all the families a nice first Christmas in the country. They are missing a lot of the aspects of how they normally celebrate. We're working with faith-based organizations and a network of local churches to try and put on some events and give gifts to the kids for Christmas," Vallano said.
Volunteers are not just thinking about the donations.
Vallano is also a teacher and case worker for recently arrived children with D.C. Public Schools. She said she has been paying close attention to how the children continue to adjust to a totally different school system than the one they're used to.
"We see a lot of kids really struggling to get used to how things work here, get used to how school works," Vallano said.
According to DCPS, 208 migrant children have become new students in the school district this year, and have received "initial English language screening and direct support with enrollment in DCPS schools." Additionally, seven students "have begun the intake and screening process and will have enrollment confirmed later this week."
Vallano said she has seen progress with these new students.
When 7News first spoke with Vallano in August, she expressed concern the new students could fall behind because of the delayed enrollment process. Now, she sees many of these students take the new challenges in stride.
"I think they're very resilient. I think they're making the best of their situation," Vallano said. "But the reality is that it's really hard, and not every kid is going to be able to succeed right away, and a lot of kids are going to need extra support because they've really been through a lot and things just look so much different here than they're used to."
The extra support needed comes in many forms.
For one, Vallano said there are transportation challenges due to the fact many families do not live close to schools where their children are sent.
"We also have some concerns about attendance because of transportation. Where the families are places is really far from some of the schools they have to attend and there's no transportation for them. We really are trying to figure out ways we can make sure the kids are in school every day," Vallano said.
Additionally, Vallano said there are more resources the school district and city leaders can provide the schools that have the children from the migrant families.
"A lot of kids are placed in schools that don't have many bilingual staff members, so it's really hard for them to communicate. They're already struggling to get used to a new culture, new school system, and new way of learning. If they can't communicate with anyone, it's going to be a lot more difficult for them," Vallano said. "We would really like to see the schools hire more bilingual aides or staff members who can communicate with them. Also, mental health resources are lacking in most of the schools the kids are attending."
7News asked DCPS what new resources they have provided these new students, and an official provided the following list:
- New and gently used clothing donations
- Hygiene kits/ items to meet basic needs
- Winter weather drive (coats, hats, etc)
- Connection to community organizations that have donated gift cards
- Additional training for school staff working with the newly arrived students.
- Additional staffing support for schools that have enrolled large numbers of the newly arrived students.
- Targeted Parent Academy session to facilitate a smooth transition for students, including attendance.
- SEL/Mental Health supports through Itinerant Bilingual Counseling, referral to community organizations and coordination with the team of Social Workers across DCPS
- Supports through students and families in transition including a metro card for one adult in each household, metro cards for all students, additional donations of uniforms, clothing, etc.
- Transportation support for students to enjoy community building activities (DCPS Block Party, DC United Soccer Game, DCPS Welcome Fair)
7News also asked DCPS for their response to advocates saying the city and school district.
"DCPS continues to work with our School Leadership teams to make adjustments to instructional and mental health supports in service of our families. Staffing allocations are set up based on calculations of student enrollment. DCPS will continue to work with our schools, and in some cases, may make adjustments to staffing, in service of the community," a DCPS spokesperson said in an email.
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