About
Every day, children from all over the world leave their homes in search of a safer life. They are young and vulnerable. Oftentimes, these youth have made the hazardous journey alone, facing exploitation, abuse and human trafficking.
In alignment with our vision to see every child thrive, we are delivering services to a new population of children who need help. We call this program Caminos, which is the Spanish word for journey.
How the program works
Caminos provides temporary safe, secure placement options for children who have recently migrated to the United States while they are going through immigration court and awaiting placement with U.S. based family members, sponsors or foster parents. They are often seeking opportunities for the chance to pursue their education and legal immigration cases.
Our mission
As with all our programs, we incorporate trauma-responsive practices to assist youth in their healing and acculturation processes, while delivering services that are ethical and effective.
Our collaborators
Cunningham works with the Board of Child Care and Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement.
Board of Child Care (BCC) is similar to Cunningham in that its history and organizational core values are rooted in the United Methodist faith. Today, the BCC is an independent 501(c)3 not-for-profit that provides behavioral health, educational and residential services across the Mid-Atlantic.
Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and handles the care and placement of unaccompanied children who are taken into custody by border patrol officials.
Cunningham staff collaborate with ORR to assess safe placement options for the Caminos program youth.
Help us meet their needs
You can help by donating to Cunningham or buying items from the Caminos wish list. Items we frequently need include:
- New or gently used English or Spanish language DVDs with a rating of PG13 or lower
- Books and chapter books in Spanish
- Epsom salts
- Men’s sizes 6-10 slide sandals, such as Adidas or comparable style/brand
- Athlete’s foot spray
Interested in working with Caminos?
Helping them on their journey…
Cunningham’s responsibility with Caminos is to serve young people temporarily while they are going through immigration court and awaiting placement with family members, sponsors or foster parents currently living in the United States.