You know that feeling after a warm, refreshing shower? How everything just suddenly feels a little bit better than it did a few minutes ago?
The power of freshening up, especially after a long and straining journey, is undeniable. And for asylum-seekers who haven’t had access to shower a days or even weeks or months, feeling clean again is not just refreshing – it’s a way to restore dignity. And to feel a little bit better again.
After spending some time at the U.S./Mexico border in recent months, we’ve seen that need come through loud and clear. So we convened some incredible volunteers in the Twin Cities to do what we could to help even a few families lift their heads a little higher.
Deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap…those were just a few of the things that went into the hygiene kits prepped by dozens of friends at the Alight Minneapolis office.
It’s true that many hands make light work – in the span of just a few minutes, the group assembled close to 150 kits! That’s 150 people who can freshen up, feel good, and gather their strength before taking their next steps.
“You can’t even imagine the difference this will make to people at the border,” said Annie Nolte from the Alight team. “Now dozens of people will not only feel a little more human again, they’ll know that someone is looking out for them too.”