By Diandra Garcia-Heredia, Advocacy & Program Coordinator for the Office of Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation
The Paper Dolls for Solidarity event held at the Convent on Thursday, March 5 brought together about 20 participants, including seven Sisters of Charity, along with students and staff, for a meaningful moment of reflection and advocacy. The event was hosted by Dee Garcia, Co-Chair of the PJIC Immigration Working Group, as part of a national campaign organized by NETWORK Lobby on behalf of the National Coalition to End Family and Child Detention.
During the gathering, participants created and decorated approximately 20 paper dolls—both cheerful and melancholy—carrying messages of hope and solidarity such as “we deserve freedom,” “hope,” “peace,” and “welcome.” These messages reflected a shared concern that family detention in the United States continues to affect children—including infants and toddlers—causing trauma and harming their development. Conversation was vibrant with the belief that every child deserves dignity, safety, and the opportunity to grow and thrive.
The paper dolls created during the event will be sent to Washington, D.C. and delivered on Capitol Hill, serving as a visual reminder to members of Congress that communities across the country are calling for an end to family detention and are standing in solidarity with immigrant children and families.
The gathering concluded with additional advocacy actions, including participation in Bread for the World’s “Nourish Our Future” Offering of Letters campaign supporting the Modern WIC Act, as well as petitions advocating for the New York for All Act and for ending family detention. Together, these efforts reflected the community’s commitment to faith-rooted advocacy and solidarity with vulnerable families.
