After hearing about rising tensions surrounding asylum seekers at the United States-Mexico (US-MX) border and reading a book called Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by Alda P. Dobbs, Stories Without Borders founder Hollyn Alpert became curious about immigration and migration. Why do families have to leave their homes and move to a new country?

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Her research led her to the Yes We Can World Foundation (YWCWF), whose incredible work provides education and mental health resources to children at the US-MX border, prompting Hollyn and her family to embark on their first visit to the YWCWF shelters in Tijuana, Mexico, in January of 2024. After a warm and meaningful few days spent at multiple shelters, the Alpert family returned stateside determined to continue helping the children and families residing at these shelters.

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Since then, Hollyn and the Stories Without Borders team have expanded their travels to include a children's home in Taipei, Taiwan. What started as a singular visit to Tijuana by Hollyn and her family has turned into annual trips with a growing number of volunteers committed to raising awareness around Los Angeles, and tens of thousands of dollars donated to these incredible organizations.

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