Fighting for families separated at the border

A benefit concert on July 24 in Park Slope will donate all proceeds to nonprofits that keep families together at the US-Mexican border

Feeling distraught from the cruel news at the border, children’s musician Amelia Robinson decided to fight for family rights with her life’s forte: music.

Robinson spearheads the Tuesday, July 24th benefit concert dubbed “Families Belong Together.” All proceeds go to the Texas-based Raices Refugee and Immigration Center and Little Essentials in Manhattan.

Robinson performs under the project name Mil’s Trills (Mils was her nickname in college). After eight years of playing music for children, Robinson said the music she’ll play at the benefit focuses on interactive experiences with children rather than a sit-and-listen format.

She’ll be joined by Suzi Shelton, Katie Ha Ha Ha, and Lucy Kalantari (filling in for Vered). For each of the artists, the benefit concert is a tangible way to make the world right. Last year, they organized a well-attended benefit concert for Hurricane Maria recovery efforts. This year, they all felt impelled to host a similar event. “We can’t sit still and let this happen,” Robinson said.

“A lot of artists I talk to feel somewhat helpless,” Robinson continued. “Especially working directly with children and seeing how essential it is for children to have a secure, safe environment to grow up in and to be with their family, to hear this news of them being ripped away and being put in these strange places. It’s just awful.”

For children who attend the benefit, Robinson hopes that they (and their parents) will be inspired to take action.

“Their voices count,” Robinson said. “It’s so important for us not to accept this.”

Elissa Young, the Executive Director of Little Essentials, wrote, “We are looking for opportunities such as these (the benefit concert)  to gain awareness of our program and for volunteers who can donate their time. For NYC Parents, This is a good opportunity to teach your children how to give back!”

Old Stone House & Washington Park in Park Slope
336 3rd St
6:30 pm