It’s not uncommon for families to separate as one or more go to the US first to establish roots and some security before the others come. Rafael was brought up in El Salvador by extended family until he was 4 years old and got the call to rejoin his mother. Rafael was one of the featured Storytellers at our “Walk of DREAMers” event.
Rafael is currently the after-school and summer program director for Siena Youth Center of the St. Francis Center. He knows first hand the impact of not having anything to do after school. Rafael has a Bachelor’s in Science degree in public management with a specialization in human resources from Colorado State University and is currently pursuing his Masters in Organizational Leadership at the University of San Francisco.