Unaccompanied Children | Heartland Alliance

The Unaccompanied Children program provides residential care, comprehensive case management services, education, medical and clinical care for immigrant and refugee children.

Main Contact Person:
Dawnya Underwood, daunderwood@heartlandalliance.org, 773-433-1200

Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Address:
4822 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640

Facts About Our Shelters

Unaccompanied minors arrive to our country alone, scared, and often traumatized from their journey fleeing a dangerous situation. Heartland Human Care Services provides a compassionate, peaceful, and healing setting until they can be united with family or a sponsor in the U.S.

Without nurturing shelters and services like Heartland Human Care Services provides, unaccompanied minors who cross the border into the United States seeking safety are vulnerable to trafficking and other abuses. We know this after 23 years’ experience of caring for and reunifying thousands of children. Our mission to protect vulnerable children and connect them as quickly as possible to a safe environment is more important than ever.

Where We Stand on Immigration

With recent media coverage about the appalling conditions in which children are being held at Border Patrol detention centers, we know that some of you are concerned about possible comparisons to Heartland Human Care Services’ shelters for unaccompanied minors. Let me be clear – there is no comparison.

Heartland Alliance is a 130-year-old human rights organization that stands with individuals who are most marginalized and vulnerable. For the last 23 years, as part of its global humanitarian efforts, our affiliate Heartland Human Care Services has been providing shelter to unaccompanied minors seeking safety and refuge in the United States.

Reunifying Children Quickly and Safely

Heartland Alliance applauds the U.S. District Court’s order to reunite children with their families within 30 days, and 14 days for children under the age of five.

The administration’s “zero tolerance” policy–which has separated thousands of children from their parents and significantly frustrated reunification efforts, and has detained tens of thousands of individuals seeking safety and asylum in our country–is abhorrent and violates the human rights principles that have defined what Heartland Alliance has worked toward for 130 years.

RELATED CONTENT

Facts About Our Shelters

Where We Stand on Immigration

Reunifying Children Quickly and Safely

EQUITY. OPPORTUNITY. FOR ALL.