In 2005, former US Senator Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park of the 10th Congressional District, instated the Abuelitas program. This allowed for Mexican grandparents to visit their children in America, who now had children of their own that the grandparents had not been able to meet due to geographical barriers. This program was recently reintroduced by US Representative Brad Schneider, D-Highland Park.
The program provides short-term tourist visas to these grandparents, and on Sunday, March 10th, Cristo Rey St. Martin was able to host these families as they reunited for the first time after being apart for so long. Originally, it was CRSM alum from the class of 2013, Laura Pizano who reached out on behalf of a club/volunteer organization she belongs to in Waukegan called Club San Jose to have this event at Cristo Rey St. Martin. Since the event aligned with our mission of being people for others, CRSM gladly hosted 16 grandparents and their families for this special occasion.
Our student-run organization, Oportunidades Para Todos (OPT), was involved with the event as well, greeting families and welcoming them to the school, along with physically setting up and cleaning up the event. “This event overall has been extremely heartwarming”, says one OPT member. “When I spoke with the families here, it felt like I was speaking to my own family.”
Both Mark Kirk and Brad Schneider were asked to give speeches and speak with the families on behalf of the Abuelitas program. “It’s great that our representatives showed up,” adds another OPT member, “it shows how close they are to the people.” Laura Pizano, an alum of CRSM, also spoke on behalf of Club San Jose.
Club San Jose and Laura Pizano are continuing to find grandparents to participate in the program. The club members travel to and from Mexico with the Abuelitas. Cristo Rey St. Martin is proud to have an alumna dedicated to this cause, and to provide the space for this very special meeting of multi-generational family members. We hope to see more reunifications in the future.