Dear friends and family,

I'm honored and excited to be running the New York City Marathon with and for ROCC NYC on November 1st.

ROCC (Resources, Opportunities, Connections, and Community) is a one-stop shop where immigrant New Yorkers receive support around housing/shelter, legal issues, asylum applications, Medicaid, and school enrollment — all while eating home-cooked meals and becoming part of a warm community of service providers, volunteers, and other clients.

It's been a privilege to volunteer at ROCC over the past four months. It's a place that truly believes in our universal humanity, and I'm proud to be raising money for such a special organization. Thank you for your support!

I started volunteering at ROCC in June, when I came to NYC to do independent political journalism. Since then, I've been coming most Wednesdays, doing Spanish-English interpretation for our legal team while also working directly with clients navigating the oppressively opaque immigration system. 

Every week brought something new. On my first day, I interpreted between one of our lawyers and a family of refugees who had escaped gang violence in Columbia — we ended up getting them a referral to a trusted organization who would help them get green cards.

In addition to helping clients with specific issues, legal and otherwise, ROCC makes everyone who walks through its doors feel welcomed and seen. By combining a slew of trusted partner organizations with community and food — all in one location — ROCC is truly unique.

By supporting ROCC through my marathon, you're helping ROCC continue to provide essential services to the most vulnerable people who call New York home. Thank you, again, for supporting such an important cause. I can't wait to run 26.2 miles for ROCC!

Go ROCC. F*ck ICE.