TNJFON Supports Moms Like Mine

By: Nichole Davari | 2021 Vice President, Board of Directors

The Big Payback is an important annual fundraising event for Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors. It takes place over 24 hours this May 5-6. 

With the event occurring so close to Mother’s Day, it’s hard to not to think about moms and their kids -- especially with so many young migrants seeking an opportunity to be reunited with their parents in the U.S. these days. Of the new clients that Tennessee Justice for Our Neighbors took on in 2020, 154 were women and 21 were children.

Mi mami is where I gained my Latinidad and much of my strength. She was an example of what it meant to be a “chingona,” a woman led by the fire within her. 

Mi mami’s life was a lot like the moms who seek TNJFON as a resource. She came to the States for an undergraduate degree, not knowing English, not knowing the culture and not knowing a soul. She faced adversity in many forms throughout her life and taught me by example how to harness my fire when it was hardest. 

Moms every day are teaching by example. They are making hard decisions and hard sacrifices, choosing what is right for them and theirs. For the times when a decision means no choice but to leave home, TNJFON is there for the moms. 

On May 4-5, I’ll be taking part in The Big Payback by raising money for TNJFON in honor of las madres. Join me!