We’re not hardwired for this level of uncertainty, and many of us feel as if the constant need to self-protect is driving the humanity right out of us. This is why organizational transformation today must foster deep connection, deep thinking, and deep collaboration. We need the courage to lead people in a way that honors and protects the wisdom of the human spirit.
– Brené Brown, from Strong Ground 

Margie Carter and Ann Pelo shared a story from Shirley Murillo about a young boy who came to the United States from El Salvador, along with the young boy’s illustration:

I wanted to share a wonderful story with you that happened with one of my students:

This student is taking an ECE course with me at College of Marin, and we have discussed many topics such as appropriate practices, family support, diversity, inclusion, trauma, etc. She is an immigrant, with refugee status due to threats in her home country of El Salvador.

Her arrival in this country has been difficult and traumatic, and she has helped her son, who was 4 years old when they migrated to the United States, through “children’s stories.” Her son, who is now 8 years old, is named Mateo. Mateo was able to cope with his difficult and traumatic transition to this country through the stories and adventures that my student created for him—”The Adventures of Little Mateo.”

During these difficult times for so many children and their families, Mateo learned at school that one of his classmates had to leave the country (the United States) and return to his home country to avoid deportation and family separation.

Mateo wrote a story about a family of baby birds that is attacked by armed men, who try to separate the baby birds from their mother. Wanting a happy ending, he illustrated his story, showing the distress of this family and how the baby birds capture the armed men, freeing their mother and restoring their nest.