The PM Podcast: "The Kids Still Need Us" Featuring Rachel Rutter, a 2024 Top Five CNN Hero

Release Date: December 20, 2024

In this compelling episode of The PM Podcast, host Jay Frost delves into the impactful work of Rachel Rutter, the founder and executive director of Project Libertad. Recognized as one of the top five CNN Heroes of 2024, Rachel shares her journey, the challenges faced by unaccompanied immigrant youth, and her vision for the future of her nonprofit organization.

Introduction to Rachel Rutter and Project Libertad

Rachel Rutter leads Project Libertad, a nonprofit based in the greater Philadelphia area, dedicated to supporting unaccompanied immigrant youth. The organization offers free legal representation, essential services, and newcomer programs to help these young individuals navigate the complexities of the U.S. legal system and rebuild their lives.

Jay Frost introduces Rachel by highlighting her significant contributions:

"Rachel has been recognized as one of the top five CNN Heroes of 2024 for her work in helping over 1,100 individuals navigate the legal system and rebuild their lives in the United States."
[00:26]

Rachel elaborates on the mission of Project Libertad, emphasizing its holistic approach:

"We're trying to take a really wraparound, holistic approach to how we serve the kids... we're not just meeting that one need of having immigration status or looking at the whole picture and trying to figure out all the different areas where they need support."
[01:29]

The Origin Story of Project Libertad

Founded in 2015, Project Libertad was born out of Rachel’s passion for assisting immigrant youth during her time in law school. Initially a side project, the organization evolved as Rachel recognized the multifaceted needs of the children she was representing.

Rachel recounts:

"I just kept seeing over and over, how many of the kids that I was representing had all these other needs... there's really no organization that's positioned to kind of do all these different things."
[03:17]

After several years of balancing her career and nonprofit work, Rachel committed to Project Libertad full-time in 2020 to effectively address the growing demands.

Challenges Faced by Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth

Unaccompanied immigrant youth arrive in the U.S. without parents or legal guardians, often fleeing traumatic environments such as gang violence in Central America. Rachel discusses the precarious situations these children face:

"They don't know where to get anything from a place to sleep to food that they need, to medical care and dental care."
[07:00]

The legal and social barriers compound their vulnerabilities. Rachel explains the systemic hurdles:

"There are a lot of barriers... the systems are really hard to navigate, like even for people who speak English and are adults."
[08:20]

She highlights the dire consequences of inadequate support, including the risk of immigration fraud and the absence of appropriate follow-up care:

"There's very little oversight... and that's how we end up having kids who have, like, food, housing insecurity and all of that."
[16:54]

Rachel’s Personal Journey and Adoption Story

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rachel shares a personal milestone—adopting her daughter from Guatemala. This experience deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant families.

Reflecting on adoption:

"It's been an eye-opening experience... I already thought I knew a lot before that. It's definitely been eye-opening."
[31:43]

Rachel emphasizes how personal experiences enhance her capacity to serve her clients:

"Helping her navigate different systems like school and healthcare gave me a new appreciation for how challenging it can be for our kids too."
[32:00]

Reactions and Impact Post CNN Recognition

Rachel discusses the mixed reactions following her CNN Hero recognition. While she received positive feedback and increased visibility for Project Libertad, she also encountered hostility fueled by misconceptions about immigration.

"Immigration is still this very polarizing thing... it's the one that provokes a lot of hatred with people who don't really understand it."
[23:37]

Despite challenges, Rachel finds hope in meaningful conversations and personal connections:

"The kids... their connection gives me hope and makes me happy. It keeps me grounded."
[28:09]

Future Vision and Organizational Growth

Looking ahead, Rachel outlines her plans to expand Project Libertad’s reach within Pennsylvania and beyond. She aims to replicate the successful model of integrating legal and social services across various regions and is excited about establishing a sustainable shelter program for older youth.

"We're hopeful to open a shelter program for youth like 18 to 22, because that's a huge thing that comes up over and over."
[29:04]

Rachel also emphasizes the importance of partnerships with schools and other organizations to enhance service delivery:

"We partner closely with schools... they are really important partners."
[30:19]

Advice for Informed Citizenship and Advocacy

Concluding the conversation, Rachel offers guidance for listeners to become informed and compassionate advocates for immigrant youth. She stresses the importance of media literacy and encourages individuals to seek accurate information and engage in meaningful dialogues.

"Literally go on our website and email me if you're not sure. I would love to answer questions and try to keep some hope."
[33:57]

Rachel underscores the ongoing need for support and collective action:

"The kids still need us, and they're gonna need us even more."
[34:00]

Conclusion

Rachel Rutter’s dedication through Project Libertad exemplifies the profound impact one individual can have on the lives of vulnerable youth. This episode sheds light on the intricate challenges faced by unaccompanied immigrant children and the essential services that can transform their futures. Rachel’s story serves as both an inspiration and a call to action for listeners to engage in advocacy and support for humanitarian causes.