By Lily McInerney
Devastating images of children who are being separated from their families at the border are a common sight to see on TV or to read about in the news. Many residents are surprised and even unaware of the fact that Irvington is a place where these children can be found as well.
The green and white sign that displays the organization “Abbott House” is unfamiliar to many, as is the mission of this non-profit. Ms. Candela-Katz, the Chief Development Officer, is looking to change that.
The Abbott House is made up of three programs, including their program for adults with developmental disabilities, the unaccompanied minors program that houses newborns and children below the age of 18, and finally the foster care program that houses anyone under the age of 21. If unaccompanied minors turn 18 while in custody of the Abbott House, the organization strives to get them connected with a family member. If that is not able to happen, they sometimes are sent back to their country.
Ms. Candela-Katz said,“I think that the most important thing for Irvington residents to know is that when individuals and families can thrive, an entire community can as well. It’s not the individual’s fault for the circumstances that they have fallen into, particularly for the children. The children don’t ask to be removed from their families.”
At the non-profit, room and board is provided for up to 51 unaccompanied minors at a time. Abbott House tends to receive medically fragile children due to its amazing medical program.
Ms. Candela-Katz said, “When kids get here they are extremely scared and they don’t know where they are because they are at the opposite at the end of the world for them. They have no idea where they are going. It is great that our staff are bilingual and in 24 hours children meet with a psychologist and case worker for a full medical workup.”
The non-profit is currently planning on releasing a newsletter in November to every resident in the Rivertowns. This is going to be the first time that the Abbott House will reach out to all of the residents and it will mark the beginning of the non-profit’s plan for communication with the public. The organization has been hesitant in the past to reach out to for privacy reasons, but the non-profit has stopped receiving sufficient funding for their unaccompanied minors program.
The Trump administration has directly influenced the lack of funding that the non-profit has been able to receive due to their “zero tolerance” policy.
Ms. Candela-Katz said, “The needs are increasing since Trump came into office and we are much more at risk for not getting sufficient funding. [The administration has] cut funding for recreational activities and educational materials. There’s not enough funding to take [unaccompanied minors] on outings for their educational experiences.”
She also said, “I think that the Abbott House has done a very poor job in the 54 years that we have been here of really helping the community to understand what we are about. In some respects it was an old-fashioned mindset. However, the government is no longer providing sufficient funds and we have no choice but to reach out to the community to receive help. The mayor and the village trustees have been incredibly supportive along with the police department and fire department. We are just trying to increase that now. Our number one goal is to work with the families to reunite them. That’s always the goal.”
When asking students at IHS about the non-profit, they seemed unaware of the Abbott House’s mission as well. Senior Madison Trafton said, “I think that [the newsletter] will really help spread awareness about who they are and what they do, or even that it exists. I’ve lived here my whole life and I’ve never known what the Abbott House does.”
Mr. Brian Smith, the mayor of Irvington, recognizes the fact that the Abbott House has not been as much of a public presence as it once was. He believes that this due to the tight controls that the federal government has instituted because of its mission to help displaced children.
He supports Abbott House’s plan for outreach and said, “Until I attended an open house at Abbott House a few years ago I was not aware of all the great programs Abbott House runs. By publishing a newsletter, Irvington residents can be made aware of all the good work and perhaps Abbott House can increase the financial support it needs from better informed residents.”
Mayor Smith also regards the Abbott House as being an extremely impressive non-profit.
“In addition to keeping the children safe, they try to let them enjoy their childhoods until they can be reunited with their families.”
Ms. Candela-Katz shared a story about a fifteen year old boy, who after five years of being separated from his mother, was reunited with her right before her eyes. While telling the story, she paused to collect herself and tears gathered in her eyes. She revealed it was one of the most intense and moving sights she has ever seen.
Ms. Candela-Katz said, “I cry every single day at [The Abbott House] and believe it’s criminal that we are not allowing people to come to the U.S., especially children.”
