Center, young advocates just
our minds and With love,
efforts. I hope you , to the Young have you in your service.my time and websites: a tremendous loss but will always best wishes Maria! Thank you for way, but so worth Information obtained from leadership. Your leaving is you A LOT Many congratulations and hard in every Thank you!work, and your remarkable Monday. We will miss Marisa Chumilwork skills. The work is Maddie Wittersadvocacy, your systemic reform
going on a With gratitude,legal and social your advice, humor, and excellent snacks!thousands of children's lives - through your individual anxious to get relax.best of my we serve. We will miss have had on revved up and the chance to is using the for the kids the impact you glad when it’s Friday but it. You wholeheartedly deserve of each day; a job that fights so hard Young Center, but overwhelmed by job makes you can fully enjoy at the end one-of-a-kind nonprofit that to grow the that doing this and hope you leaves me fulfilled
it a truly had the opportunity Young Center team. I remember thinking in your retirement a job that the Young Center, and for making you that you part of the all the best am to have and soul into so happy for opportunity to be work. I wish you how grateful I pouring your heart Maria, I'm not only giving me the through your unforgettable you to know questions. Thank you for Johanna Afshaniyou enough for bestowed upon us come. What a legacy! I also want ask the tough thousands of children’s lives!I cannot thank gifts you have for years to what’s right, and how to impact you’ve had on new-found freedom.appreciate all the of immigrant children your ground for
grateful for the you with some you dearly but advocate on behalf with compassion, how to stand out! I am truly lies ahead for them most. Maria, I will miss care for and you—how to lead in and day Center, and for what when staff need will continue to so much from unaccompanied minors day years with Young share chocolate treats amazing organization that past years. I have learned and fighting for much over the impeccable timing to and built an
with you these 18+ years of advocating accomplished so very a squirrel, and always have well deserved!! You have created has been working Thank you for for you, both for having to let loose, stash food like retire! It is so and honor it Kathryn SullivanMaria, I’m so happy more personal note, you know how the opportunity to Maria, what a privilege built.Young Center-Houston teamAnd on a Dear Maria, Congratulations on taking Wendy Young, KINDorganization you have Maria with the profound, vast, and remarkable.Michelle McSweeneyto follow!caring and capable Elizabeth Witmeryour impact is serve, our Heroes.all of us next chapter. Thanks for the missed dearly!and depth of brave children you a light for
Cheers to your of your journey. You will be children. Clearly the breadth you, your team, and the incredibly continue to shine Beata Lejathe next part thousands of immigrant honored to call unaccompanied children will retirement!the best for direct lives of Crosser, we are so
the rights of missed. Congratulations on your staff. Wishing you all positively influence the and current Red your work and guidance will be all Young Center international policy and Young Center volunteer and passion for
Photo Credit: Andrew Segreti
be like you. Your leadership and humble leadership, wise guidance, and example you’ve set for
shape national and every day. As a former you, but your love learn. I aspire to your fearless and staff who ultimately Center team do Congratulations, Maria! We will miss to listen and long, I’ve so appreciated country, shepherding and encouraging and The Young Frenchie.of nature, you are approachable, kind, and always willing with you for expand across the admire all you Center-Chicago staff, including Muddy the being this force chance to work the organization to Congratulations Maria! I continue to Maria with Young achieve. And yet despite Dear Maria, While I haven’t gotten the Center. You courageously led Camila TrefftzDeb Hassmost will ever Barrie Landryat the Young
With gratitude,
Center.
administrations, accomplishments bigger than With gratitude,
your early work greatly missed!
for The Young
growth and various turn away.
law based on your journey forward, you will be for you and organization through massive You do not language in the the best in is to come for immigrant children, and led the abilities….TVPRA and included their own stories. Wishing you all for all that best interest standard Privilege of your your leadership, Congress passed the immigrant children in accomplished and hopefulness Center and the for thegovernment agencies. All thanks to experience to serve all you have existence the Young You assume responsibility with judges and to use my With gratefulness for
an inspiration. You willed into can do something, rather than nothing.
courtrooms, and engaged brilliantly
child like myself Mary RowlandMaria, You are such Believing that you with individual children, bravely walked into for an immigrant Center inspires us.Alejandra Creixellnext.unique, groundbreaking advocacy program. Eighteen years ago, as a one-woman show, you compassionately met making it possible founding the Young to help.Hour to the singlehandedly initiated a so fiercely. Thank you for Your courage in volunteers a way Propels you forward, from one hardimmigrant children and you have led Pam Kohlhoff
help and us
posture that, steady state,good of vulnerable of individuals that Gracias!
giving young immigrants
It’s a moral
advance the greater this phenomenal team over the world.done and for specific.law degree to blown away by greatly appreciated all all you have Activism is not impressed me. You applied your continued to be hard work is Thank you for Jeanne Kim
about your story, the more you
staff, and I have
children. Your dedication and Sarah Waxmanstars soon.action and learned before joining as bring awareness these appreciation,some other rock observed you in Young Center long all you've done to In admiration and way, let's go see a staff member. The more I admirer of the Thank you for Priscilla Monico MarínSTAR. And by the fortunately returned as Dear Maria, I was an Melanie MinnixWarmly,and TOTAL ROCK volunteer and then Humanitarian Award. Photo credit: Tim Hiattevery happiness,brings you peace, joy, and some well-earned rest. Thank you again, and feliz retirement, Maria!advocate for children. You're an inspiration Center as a 2017 UNICEF Chicago and wish you of your life done as an with the Young
Maria accepting the We thank you this next phase all you have
immediately – I luckily connected Peebles
need it most.the Young Center. I hope that
Congratulations, Maria! Thank you are
graduate class. You wooed me Frances de Pontes to those who who work at Craig Futtermanpresented to my admiration,blessings and grace and the people With love & respect,speak when you With love and important legacy of children we serve children. Thank you!my career path. Twelve years ago, I heard you life.leave such an to both the all of our has forever changed chapter of your world and to your unwavering commitment do right by visionary dreamer who in the next mark upon this lifetime. Thank you for have done to Dear Maria, You are a so many children. Wishing you happiness your very significant happen – and in my all that you for a retreatthe lives of watch you make that. The change will my admiration and gathered in Phoenix Center and changing incredibly inspiring to before it’s the standard. I do believe definitely the best. Words cannot express Maria with staff creating The Young Maria, It has been
matter of time
Maria, you are most
Cynthia Herreraknow you. Thank you for Soti in Harlingen, Texasincredible leadership, it’s only a Anita Maddaliyou have built.
so lucky to and filmmaker Nat
the immigration space, thanks to your
child advocate. Thank you, Maria, for your leadership, perseverance and compassion.
and the legacy grace, kindness, intelligence and humanity. We are all Maria with staff
to go in to have a all your work the epitome of Sara Neudera long way been fortunate enough an inspiration. Thank you for we've had, you have been Thank you, again,interest still has
minors who have you have been
Dear Maria, In every interaction
Young Center.reality, and while best of the unaccompanied an intern and Chip Peters
advocate with the
visionary idea a by so many with you as
Cynthia Wilson and work as an
say they’ve made a
has been experienced honor to work person!an honor to
deeply. Few people can
and donors and retirement, Maria! It was an with you in you in Harlingen, and it is that you created, molded, and developed. I admire you Young Center staff you a happy celebrate your retirement
honor to meet
at an organization better has inspired Congrats and wishing immigrants. We can't wait to 18 years. It was an
privileged to work hope for something Mazaheriour most vulnerable for the past
lawyer. I consider myself
the Young Center. That vision and Susie and Mahmoud the lives of your tireless work trailblazer, a fierce advocate, and one sassy when you founded Julian Dibbelladvocacy to improve Ms. Woltjen, thank you for Maria, You are a brought to life yet. You’ve earned it!leadership and fierce Janine BiskindEllie Nortonvision that you the most satisfying many years of you have done.the very best.indebted to the your life is Maria, Thanks for your of the work seeing everything you've created! Wishing you all Maria, we are all next chapter of
Raia Stoicheva
better place because
with you and Andy Schoenholtzme. I hope the Thank you, Maria,world is a an honor working thrive.you have taught drawer!
person and the
thing you've done, Maria. It has been that vision to for all that miss you and, let’s be honest, your incredible snack warm and generous What an incredible professions to enable or my gratitude delicious snacks. Team Chicago will Maria, You are a Michael Walshtalent in various you have created laughter and many LucasElizabeth Foster and to attract extraordinary admiration for what of love and Vanessa and John years!knew exactly how Maria, words really can’t express my chapter be full true inspiration!you these past just brilliant, and then you
Black lives.
possible. May your next it dearest friend. You are a to work with Center. Your vision was a run for joy and play. You made that good health, love and adventures. You have earned a great honor with the Young daughter Mattie at brilliant, but full of retirement filled with Maria, it has been seek post-law school opportunities Maria with her only dedicated and long and happy Jessie Beecher-Bellintern with and Olivia Porterwho are not your leadership, persistence, and fierce advocacy. Wishing you a Much love,that they should With much gratitude,
and whole-heartedly with colleagues
Thank you for
the future!students I mentor ahead for you!immigrant children thoughtfully Anita Weinbergseeing you in encourage all the of good travel, good food, and good company able to serve legacy.
look forward to serving children. I continue to the YC. Here’s to years
grateful to be will continue on. What a fine
yourself and I an exceptional organization are working at beautiful organization. I am so of advocacy that Take good, fabulous care of Center into such of us who to creating this have developed awareness, a specialization, and a system so.made the Young lives of those giving your energy still needing assistance. But you also possible in doing talent you orchestrated, and how you better, but also the Dear Maria, Thank you for the young people the best decisions started, all the great only immigrant children
Linda Dakin-Grimm
you, and to all trying to make about where you lives of not everything.to learn from the kids and when I think feel that you’ve made the future. Thank you for have so much are advocating for What a leader! Pretty amazing accomplishments can know and to change the starting out who hearts as we Simon and Leachild has already the other, even when they
Jennifer Nagda
you created. I am inspired countless more you’ll never meet, who are thriving children who wake an ally, a champion of Patrice and Terry left on the like yours could All the best,future. I hope you knowing what they what you’ve accomplished. It’s rare for us. I’ve been awed Dear Maria, It’s been my letting me be is more than because of my will be seen such a thoughtful for your example.
you have established
With eternal gratitude,
you and even bit. Thank you for children, and every time are a child child refugee, I feel such being a beacon of Chicago and immigrant children!for all of many advocates along
Best Wishes to a rest.
Margaret O'Connorwill continue to just build a your incredible legacy, Maureen and Brent Best wishes for all of the life. May it be deeply missed and your leadership, and I am your thoughts on for and interact and love for very much a
I’ve been with inspiring leadership and
retirement! I am so Young Center-Chicago team
Grateful and proud pure privilege to taking a wild
nonstop—and take notes we were talking that. You’re definitely getting for the Development Jimena Catarivasthis next chapter organization with great a pleasure working best wishes for stress-free! Thank you for for this organization. You have greatly member, I have seen work with you Maria, it is hard design advice for to find us have been able part of this deserve an amazing such a privilege happiness and success,
Thanks,
you have done
a more just better. Thank you Maria immigrant children - have conquered a to me when us with extraordinary page to submit staff, volunteers, and supporters for and husband (in that order).in June. Her team wishes that is already dedication to children important are the
Chicago and Northern
Alumni Award, the 2022 American to children and of thousands of members in 8 court judges.meet with children to ensure an in the Immigrant University of Chicago and into adversarial expanded the program way our immigration the most vulnerable a provision in adults and which to integrate child five years.defined the role often bicultural volunteer best interests with fields and disciplines. But most importantly, she went into Center’s Child Advocate the byzantine immigration to counsel to children in immigration and best interests Maria Woltjen founded it will continue interest of the and courtesy for joy. (And chocolate & cocktails.)because of what community; but there are of so many smart; empathetic, kind, and hilarious; a leader and done for others!mark you have 20 years ago. Only a heart, mind and passion
rest.
well into the
the satisfaction of be inspired by true leadership for Vanessa Pineda
law school. Thank you for and social workers stronger advocate, lawyer, mother, and global citizen hopes that they leadership in creating your next chapter. We are grateful proud of all you.proud to know heals a little for thousands of
lonely when you
was once a generations. Thank you for
American Red Cross made for unaccompanied your retirement, and thank you career - you impacted so contribution to children's lives.get to have wishes!so many and of fearless leadership. You did not Congratulations Maria on an inspiration.
Thank you for
chapter in your presence will be integral components of
note or sharing much you care your evident passion are all so the short time Center under your Maria, Congratulations on your Maria with the three years, Maria.amazing organization you’ve built. It’s been a happened. Thank you for going to learn no idea what during your interview? Oh my god, Maria will love interviewing with you Love,the best on such an amazing Dear Maria, It has been standout career and completely enjoyable and a beloved, humble, and benevolent leader as a board has been to Geoff Woodwhen we need on your vision. You know where and that I to be a incredible organization and Dear Maria, It has been Wishing you continued you so much.for the good efforts to create the world, to make it thinking and doing, her commitment to the human being. That's what happened Sometimes life touches bottom of the from Young Center with her children administration, Maria will retire a strong, sustainable, and independent organization preparation, attention to detail, clarity of purpose, and a zealous Award. But perhaps more Red Cross of
Law Initiative Distinguished across the world. For her service and best interests nearly 80 staff (BIDs) to immigration judges, asylum officers, deportation officials, custodial officials, and even state to the organization’s ranks. All the while, volunteers continued to law; adding masters-level social workers mentor law students program to the into government custody Child Advocates and Republican President, helped change the Child Advocates to Congress to enact system designed for policy. She was determined one-person operation for the program and trained bilingual and fighting for their experts in different
became the Young
their best interests, children often faced
on the child’s best interests. Without guaranteed access Child Advocate for for the rights
Legacy
better into the
of many and centering the best perseverance. Always with respect and wish you tomorrow, in small part of family and names and stories very best colleague. Visionary, strategic, and so damn all you have justice endeavor. What an indelible you had nearly of this well-deserved season of world a kinder, more just place career and have I will forever much for modeling a well-deserved JUBILACIÓN!when I started from both lawyers forgets that. I am a their stories in your vision and the best in
been an inspiration. You should be
to work with to this work. I am so girl inside me a support system seem harsh and Maria, as an immigrant, as someone who will transform children's lives for honorees of the impact you have Congrats Maria on Congratulations, Maria, on an amazing such an important for immigrant children. Glad that you Congratulations and best the lives of your many years Job well done!
into this work. You are truly
Jane Liuand this next by example. While your daily staff are also be a thoughtful struck by how organization. In addition to for immigrant children
without your leadership, and even in
join the Young
Albert Cheungteam, AJfor the past in to this you, and that’s exactly what that I was because I had much. I took, like, pages of notes!" My sister said, "You took notes my sister after
in touch.
true inspiration. I wish you seeing you lead
Mirela VesaDear Maria, Congratulations on a
your retirement is
organization, your creation, is all about. You have been Child Advocate and
wonderful, life-changing experience it gratitude,
to reach out this. We will carry
job I love advocacy. It’s a joy
last six years. You built an Young Center-Harlingen team
retirement.
Center. I will miss
of all kinds for so many seeks to improve call. Her passion, her congruence between highest ideals of LOVEchapter. Scroll to the and well wishes and uninterrupted time under the new Young Center into colleagues and successors: integrity, humility, honesty, rigorous research and
Center’s inaugural Waymaker
Chicago Humanitarian Award, the 2022 American 1996 Public Interest
than 80 countries protected the rights national organization with best interests determinations coordinators and paralegals backgrounds in immigration, civil rights, child protection, and human rights would teach and to bring her separated children thrown
transformative role of signed by a official appointment of legal systems. She worked with identities—into an immigration to changing federal out as a child referred to case. She recruited and of identifying and law, juvenile justice systems, and immigration law; and met with To create what to fight for to focus specifically facing deportation. At the time, there was no 2004 to advocate Her Work and world for the in the lives the same. Your life’s work of model of diligence, patience and quiet for your example will lead us safety, in the company
committed to children’s rights. You know the Maria, you’ve been the Sincere thanks for a critical social Maria, what a vision
peace and joy
to make the
back at their many times and you. Thank you so your vision! It is such ever dreamed of
Young Center. The training I’ve received here a system that
children to share Dear Maria, Thank you for Center. I wish you Maria you have have been able chance to contribute
that, the little refugee
place. You have created you. The world can Ms. Kim Van HornMaria, your tireless work Maria with other and the tremendous Paul LeeBarbara Kirschner Congratulations on making your fine work after your retirement.movement that shaped Maria, thank you for Kristin Riceyou have poured Best,happy for you how you lead care that you’ve shown for staff, whether it just serve, I have been DNA of the how your passion, unwavering commitment, and thoughtful advocacy it is today was able to inspirational.part of the laugh with you and bringing me
I worked with
time. I knew immediately
was taking notes best interview. I learned so
remember talking to
forward to keeping has been a the board and Much love,Simone Tsengso many others. I hope that compassion that this
Young Center. Both as a
words what a With admiration and to visit, and we’ll be sure to you for to have a lifetime of fierce you over the Maria with the Congratulations on your leading the Young you with blessings inspiring source and soul, that space that on a video our senses, and stir the TO MARIA WITH begins a new messages of support books, well-crafted cocktails, boxes of high-end chocolates, and much deserved
pressing for change
Having built the on to her Hero, and the Young Goldman Award, the 2022 UNICEF recipient of the
children from more
country. Her organization has Center is a across the country, while staff submitted the Young Center’s advocacy; and welcoming volunteer a dedicated team, hiring attorneys with 15 years she In 2006, Maria was invited more unaccompanied and seeking safety. In 2022, Congress recognized the
bipartisan Congress and
allows for the years behind other self-expression, to safety, to family integrity, to their own individual cases but her close supervision; work she carried could meet one-on-one with each involved in their the hard work across the globe; evaluated child welfare themselves.and no one guardian ad litem separated immigrant children for Immigrant Children's Rights in Maria Woltjencountry and the made a difference are not offering Dear Maria, You are a by and grateful today and who each morning in every staffer; but most importantly, relentlessly and zealously Sullivanworld.
have began such
Lisa Heinemanlean into the created will continue someone to look by your words privilege to support a part of
I could have work at the
as children in way to empower Meredith Linskyat the Young Noorjahan Akbarmore proud to giving me the
I think about
in a new deep gratitude towards of justice, healing and love.Northern Illinois.Bob Glavesyour great leadership their journeys.You and Alex,Ellen BartonCongratulation on all
do so long
career, you built a
Strattonyour retirement!vision, passion admins dedication
filled with rest, peace, and joy.felt, I am so so appreciative of staff calls. The concern and daily with YC the children we part of the the YC, I have seen vision. The YC wouldn’t be what grateful that I Congratulations, Maria. Your work is
to be a learn from and chance on me
nonstop—every day that
about half the the job." And I did! Even though I Director job, Maria. I told Kelly, "Oh my god, that was the I will always of your life. I am looking vision and guidance. Your thought leadership with you on
your retirement!
everything, Maria.
inspired me and the kindness and and with the
to put into
the Chicago office!when you want to grow in; I’m forever grateful incredible work and retirement after a to work with Lynn LamannoBeatriz Martorello
in creating and
and humane world. Happy rest-of-the-way; may life compensate for being that space in my
I met Maria people, those who impact your own note.Maria as she Here are some her exciting travel, stacks of great deeply engaged in and their families.values she passes Illinois Global Citizenship
Constitution Society Ruth
the advocacy community, Maria was the unaccompanied and separated offices across the Today the Young in detention centers interdisciplinary focus to Child Advocacy clinic. During that time, she also grew Law School, where for nearly court proceedings.to serve far system treats children immigrant children. That 2008 law, passed by a an anti-trafficking law that lags nearly 100 protection principles—especially children’s rights to From the start, her work wasn’t limited to they'd play under Child Advocates who every government agency government-run facilities, met with children, and took on program, Maria researched systems
system all by
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