How Alex Meneses is Helping Children at The Border Through The San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center

Photo by John Moore/Getty Images News / Getty Images

As the crisis at the border has been making headlines recently, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to help. "I'm completely incensed about the situation at the border," says actress and activist/philanthropist Alex Meneses. Her outrage is what prompted her to get involved with The San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center, a non-profit organization that has helped raise funds to support over 700 unaccompanied minors in the San Fernando Valley and over 3,000 seeking asylum in Los Angeles and Southern California.

"My [late] father was an immigrant from Mexico. He would have been so proud of the work that this organization is doing." Recently, The San Fernando Valley Refugee Children Center held their annual Champion for Children's gala to increase awareness of the situation at the border. The gala featured a performance by the Grammy-winning singer Gian Marco and raised a considerable amount of money to pay for trauma counseling, basic legal fees for immigration courts, living/school supplies, and medical and community support services for unaccompanied minors and families fleeing life- threatening violence.

“They have names. They are human beings,” says Pastor Fred Morris who opened the San Fernando Refugee Children Center in 2015. “They have fled the threat of violence and death and under the law are eligible to apply for asylum; they are denied that right and need our help.”

“What’s happening on the border is not humane,” explains event Co-Chair, Emmy winning journalist and Latina advocate, Giselle Fernandez. “It’s cruel and immoral and stabs at the soul of this nation. It’s not who we are. We are better than this. These children are refugees and they need our help.”

Eva Longoria presenting a Champions for Children's Award to longtime friend Alex Meneses; Photo by Michel Tullburg/Getty Images

As a special honoree, Meneses was presented a Champion for Children's Award from longtime friend Eva Longoria. "She's so amazing," says Meneses, "she's a new mom and doesn't go out much, so for her to get involved and present me with this award was a huge deal and it says so much about her character."