Loyola to host panel discussion on experiences of immigrant youth
Loyola University Maryland will host a presentation, The Journey of Immigrant Children, on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, at 6:30 p.m., in McGuire Hall. The panel discussion will focus on experiences, legal issues, and spiritual perspectives of Central American immigrant youth.
The presentation will feature seven panelists, including two speakers who fled El Salvador as teenagers and coauthors of the book, Blessed Are the Refugees: Beatitudes of Immigrant Children, which received an award by the Catholic Press Association.
Silvia Delgado, who fled El Salvador at the age of 19, will also sing songs at the event. Other panelists include Rev. Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J., director of mission of the Jesuit Refugee Service/USA and president emeritus of Georgetown University; Williams Guevara, who fled El Salvador at the age of 17; Mikhael Borgonos, J.D., managing attorney for the Esperanza Center; Andrea Naft, an Esperanza Center volunteer; Cary Plamondon, J.D., pro bono attorney for the Esperanza Center; and Val Twanmoh, J.D., director of the Esperanza Center.
The event will be moderated by Scott Rose, J.D., a deacon in the Baltimore Archdiocese and pro bono attorney for the Esperanza Center—a program of the Catholic Charities of Baltimore.
A book signing will be held after the event in McGuire Hall. The book will be sold during the presentation and at the University bookstore. All proceeds will benefit the Jesuit Refugee Service and the Esperanza Center.
"Loyola University Maryland is proud to be able to offer a space for this critical conversation,” said Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J., president. “I hope this discussion will help our community better understand the issues immigrants are facing in our world today—and offer us insight into how we can better advocate for and support them.”
The panel discussion is free and open to the public. Registration is not required but encouraged, www.loyola.edu/journey. For more information contact Campus Ministry at 410-617-2222 or CampusMinistry@loyola.edu.