Gilpin Amnesty: Cans for Kids

Supporting a Colorado program that assists migrant children

By Esmee Halsted

This week, Gilpin County School’s Amnesty International Chapter put on a food drive. Students rushed to the booth to exchange cans for lollipops. Can after can, the food donations started to stack up. Hearty beans to baby food were brought in. All the proceeds went to children who were separated from their families within the immigration system.Family separation is a major issue for this group. As Curt Halsted, the Gilpin Amnesty advisor puts it, “The goal of Gilpin Amnesty is to raise awareness for human rights abuses, separating children from their families is a tenuous process in any situation. In the immigration system right now migrant children are being caught up in a process that is difficult and painstakingly long. The goal of this fundraiser is to support Angelica’s Village, a Colorado program that assists migrant children. Whether a dream of a better future, or desperation is driving their families situation, these children may be American citizens someday. But beyond that immediate concern, they are also human beings in a difficult situation. I hope we can help, and raise awareness that can help find solutions that will make the lives of these individual family members better. The immigration process should be reformed.”