MARLBOROUGH – A new arrival to this country, unfamiliar with the laws and customs, not speaking the language, trying to understand what’s going on around them.
“It’s difficult to get a better life when you start with nothing,” said Isaac Ladas, a junior at Marlborough High School.
Ladas, along with other MHS students, recently established a new, non-school organization called the Cultural Compassion Alliance.
Currently in its early stages, the alliance will help immigrants with legal and financial support.
“The need is there,” said Ladas. “They need financial aid for food, clothes, help with job applications.”
According to its mission statement, “Our mission is to guide immigrants through the complexities of the immigration process, ensuring equal opportunities, access to resources, and legal guidance for financial stability while preserving cultural identities.”
The three main directors include Ladas, Altagracia Toussaint and Victoria Bittencourt.
Toussaint spent part of her childhood in Haiti.
When she moved to Marlborough in February 2020, “I had to learn English all by myself,” she said.
“I definitely think it will help having that person to help,” she said.
In addition to fundraising, the alliance is trying to locate law firms that specialize in immigration law and providing pro bono services.
The directors are also recruiting more board members. Ladas said the only requirement to join is a dedication to help immigrants across Massachusetts.
Ladas added that in spite of a hardening stance on immigration, the CCA remains committed to its mission.
“The Cultural Compassion Alliance remains unwavering in its mission to support immigrants and their pursuit of better lives, regardless of the political climate or election outcomes. We are committed to defending the rights of those seeking new opportunities and ensuring they receive the aid and advocacy they deserve. This work is vital, and our dedication to compassion and justice will never waver.”
For information on the Cultural Compassion Alliance, visit https://culturalcompassionalliance.com/index.html
