“I am from Venezuela. We left there because the economic crisis is bad. There is no work or food. I came through the jungles of Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico. In Mexico, I got on a train. I jumped the mesh fence into Texas to surrender to immigration.”
“I was happy because I had reached my destination but it was uncomfortable since I was in a country I don’t know and it has another language. I arrived in Chicago, but a friend of mine had been in Columbus for awhile. He told us to come here and in February of this year, he came for us and brought us here. He said to come to The Open Shelter to see how they could help us. When you encounter immigration, they take away everything you have.”
“The Open Shelter has treated me very well. I have three young children. They gave my children clothes, shoes, and meals. Even though we don’t speak the same langauge, we are able to understand each other through our phones. They also helped me get a job and find an overnight shelter.”
“Sheli is a very good-hearted person. I tell her that she is like a mother to me even though we don’t speak the same language. The staff here are very good people, if it is within their reach, they will help you. I hope to continue to work hard and be able to help my family who stayed abroad, and also give the best to my children and my family.”