Carlos' Story - Advocates for Children of New York

Carlos, a determined young student from Guatemala, came to the U.S. alone after years of poverty forced him to leave school and work to support his family. At 16, he tried twice to enroll in school in the Bronx but was turned away each time because his relatives lacked identification and custodial paperwork. Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) stepped in, defending his right to an immediate school placement under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act. With AFC’s help, Carlos was enrolled at Manhattan International High School—a supportive environment for newly arrived immigrant students learning English. There, he thrived academically and advocated for others like himself. In 2019, Carlos proudly graduated high school, a milestone made possible through his perseverance and AFC’s advocacy. Read the full story about Carlos’ remarkable journey using the link.