“Ester is my ally”

As we prepare to celebrate Día del Niño tomorrow, I wanted to share a few stories about what it means to show up for our kids.

A few weeks ago at Homework Club, two students were asked to use the word “aliada” (ally) in a sentence. We talked about what it means: someone who supports you, stands with you, makes you feel like you can do it all.

I stepped away for a moment, and when I came back, their sentences read:

“Ester de Unidos es mi aliada.”

It was a small, lighthearted moment, but it’s what this work is about.

We saw that clearly in Yeralda’s recent milestone. After working hard to reclassify, she reached that goal, an accomplishment that opens new opportunities for her.

She invited us into her celebration, and while not all of us could be there in that exact moment, our team showed up; cheering her on and making sure she knew how proud we are.

And we see it in the spaces our young people continue to step into.

Just today, I visited SJHHS’s AVID Unity Time to talk with student leaders. Many of them have been part of Unidos, and one of the candidates for   president is one of our own.

These moments remind us that being an ally isn’t about having all the answers or the perfect program.

It’s about presence.

As we celebrate Día del Niño, we’re reminded that while tomorrow is a special day, this is something we practice every day at Unidos. Standing alongside our children as allies, as advocates, and as community.

Ester Ocampo

Volunteer Director