We would like to thank the three high schools represented in this project for their dedication, as well as our partner organization, the Chicago Refugee Coalition, for joining us in this important work.

This book would not have been possible without the unwavering commitment of twelve outstanding educators: Alma Tamayo, Justin Fisk, Kelley O’Reilly, Kamila Zaremba, Nicole Demarakis, Hanz Berduo, Delta Cervantes, Alondra Sepulveda, Mayra Ramirez, Rosemarie Markopoulos, Juliana Poshi, and Josh Zepeda. 

These devoted teachers did far more than guide—they nurtured, empowered, and stood beside each student author throughout the entire process. Their tireless efforts to identify and support student voices, coordinate with editors and the production team, and prepare each participant to share their story with confidence are the cornerstone of this work.

We are also deeply thankful to Connor M. Mautner, Founder & Strategic Director of the Chicago Refugee Coalition, who wrote the book’s Introduction, and Nestor “the Boss” Gomez, who authored a thoughtful and powerful Foreword. Their contributions provided vital context and vision for the stories that follow.

To honor and uplift the voices of our student authors, oral historian Tea Rozman and filmmaker/photographer Kou Lee created compelling video narratives and portraits. Julie Vang guided each student in shaping their stories into written essays. Special thanks to Co-Executive Director Aaliyah Hannah and the Green Card Voices Board for their ongoing support.

We deeply appreciate copyeditors Gloria Narabrook and Susan Benson for their careful revisions, and Abbie Phelps for her thoughtful edits to both essays and bios. Gratitude also goes to Yixiu Chen, whose coordination placed intern Riley Rasmussen—an invaluable contributor to the essays and glossary.

Illustrator Pato Muñoz Vázquez brought depth and meaning to the student portraits, while Shiney Chi-Ia Her beautifully designed the book’s cover and interior.

We’re especially thankful to Isabel Bethke, Ph.D./J.D. candidate, for her expert legal and immigration-focused edits. Finally, heartfelt thanks to Zaynab Abdi and Yanci Almonte Vargas, former authors and classroom trainers, with Zaynab leading a public speaking workshop to empower our young storytellers.

This book and exhibit were made possible in part through the generous support of the Walder Foundation’s Migration and Immigrant Communities Program. This initiative is designed to strengthen public narratives and deepen awareness around migration in Chicago through storytelling, journalism, research, and community dialogue. We are honored to be among the grantees working toward a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of immigrant experiences in the city. Learn more about the program at www.walderfoundation.org/migration-and-immigrant-communities.

The Green Card Youth Voices: Immigration Stories from Chicago High Schools exhibit is a community storytelling project presented by Green Card Voices in collaboration with three Chicago high schools. Made possible through local partnerships and educator support, this initiative uplifts the firsthand narratives of twenty immigrant and refugee youth representing nineteen countries across five continents.

Through a traveling exhibit and companion book, the project highlights deeply personal stories of displacement, resilience, and belonging. Each student shares their journey- fleeing war, navigating new languages, and finding community in Chicago- offering an intimate look into the strength and diversity that shape the city’s immigrant experience. Together, these stories foster empathy, understanding, and pride in Chicago’s vibrant multicultural identity.