Their Journey, Our Steps

Race Overview: Walk in Solidarity with Immigrant Children

Starting September 1st, we invite you to collectively walk, run or roll 20,000 miles alongside us as a powerful act of solidarity. Each mile we log reflects the journeys immigrant children have made across borders and continents in search of safety.

Every step honors their courage and declares to the world — we will not let unaccompanied immigrant children walk their journey alone.

20 Years of Fighting for Immigrant Children

Join us in collectively walking 20,000 miles in honor of 20 years.

In 2004, the Young Center was founded with a vision to develop a program that advocates for the best interests of unaccompanied immigrant children, and since then, we have been fighting tirelessly to keep children safe, free, and with family in community.

With every step, we can make an incredible impact — let's see how far we can go!

Toolkits and Wallpapers for the Journey

#BeAWaymaker. Boost your impact!

Whether you're just starting out or leading a team of Waymakers, our toolkits and custom wallpapers will help you rally your team, engage your community, build successful fundraisers and walk with purpose—because no immigrant child should walk alone.

Story of the Waymaker

Years ago, the Young Center had the honor of serving a girl from West Africa as her Child Advocate, ensuring she had an ally that spoke up for her best interests and ensured she was treated with care and dignity. When she was released from custody, settled in, and enrolled in high school, she sent a letter to her Child Advocate, thanking her for being her Waymaker. We love that word. Today, as unaccompanied children are at risk of being deported to danger and families continue to be separated, we need Waymakers more than ever. 

8,000+ immigrant & refugee children served so far

In 2024, we served 1,975 children from more than 52 different countries. 402 of the children we worked with were under 12 years old and 589 were at risk of being transferred to adult detention.

Celebrating Elizabeth Frankel's Legacy

A tireless advocate, Waymaker, and friend, Liz served as a guiding light to each child and parent as they made their way through an adversarial immigration and justice system. Her work was guided by her zealous belief that children and families had the right to remain together, to be heard, and to be free from detention.

Join us in celebrating the power we each have to be a Waymaker and walk in solidarity with a child.

The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights is a human rights organization that champions the best interests of unaccompanied immigrant children, making sure that wherever they land, whether here in the U.S. or their home country, they are safe. The children we serve are fleeing violence, trafficking, abuse, extreme poverty, discrimination, and the effects of climate change. We advocate for the well-being of each child while they’re detained, in court proceedings, and post-release. We stand for the creation of an immigration system that sees children as children.