Washington, DC  – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) will lead a group of humanitarian advocates to work with a shelter in McAllen, TX, in support of unaccompanied minors from Central America including Actress America Ferrera through an effort titled READ (Refugee Enrichment And Development) Project. The program will solely focus on providing the refugee children with hope and relief from their plight through reading, playing, and praying. Joining HHF in the effort are Qlovi, Catholic Charities, and Elevare International, which is based in TX and, will provide on-the-ground volunteers and execute the curriculum throughout the year.

The group will arrive at Sacred Heart Catholic Church (306 S 15^th St., McAllen, TX 78501) at 3 p.m., Sunday, July 27, and will be joined by Ferrera, who is of Honduran descent, on Monday at noon when statements to the press will be made by the principals involved. 

“This effort is focused on helping these refugee children cope and provide hope with their situation through reading, playing, and praying,” said Antonio Tijerino, president and CEO of HHF. “These children are refugees trying to escape horrific violence in their home countries.  It’s not a coincidence that of the 20 most dangerous cities on earth, ALL 20 are in Latin America with San Pedro Sula in Honduras leading the way as the murder capital of the world. It’s no coincidence that city is where the greatest amount of refugees are coming from. We are inspired by what makes America great – the indefatigable spirit of giving. The READ Project is inspired by the words at the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty which says, ‘Give me your tired, your poor/Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free/The wretched refuse of your teeming shore/Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me/I lift my lamp beside the golden door.’ We are trying to lift our version of a lamp to these children through this effort."

The READ Project will have a strong technology component through Qlovi, an educational technology start-up, which will provide free access to their library of interactive and integrated eBooks in Spanish for volunteers to read to and with the children while engaging them to express themselves about their journeys. HHF will donate tablets for the volunteers to use throughout the year in working with the children in the shelters through Catholic Charities and Elevare International. Spiritual leaders will be invited to pray with the children to offer hope. The READ Project will also buy toys, books, and clothes for the children through donations. Donations for the READ Project can be made at http://www.hispanicheritage.org/donations/.

In addition to Ferrera and Tijerino of HHF, catalysts for the READ Project include Qlovi Co-Founder Harlyn Pacheco, Luis Cardona, Will Hernandez, Belen Marquina, Adan Acevedo, Juan Herrera, Monica Villareal, Jaime Lopez, Sister Norma, and Fani Cruz from Catholic Charities, Stacie Oliveres Castain, Roberto Callejas, Estuardo Rodriguez, and many others who have joined in the effort.