Born in La Sidra, Honduras, Darlin is a living example of both the hardships that drive children to flee Central America and the resilience of unaccompanied immigrant youth in the United States, where he was granted lawful permanent residence shortly before turning 18. For years, Darlin balanced a full-time job at a restaurant with English classes and schooling while living in a transitional youth program. Despite these obstacles, Darlin pursued his education, dreamt of the future, and found ways to give back — donating part of his first earnings to help children with medical needs back in Honduras. He also fundraised and collected donated toys, clothing, and other items, which he drove to a shelter in Mexico to support holiday celebrations for unaccompanied children placed in a similar shelter as he once was.
Today, Darlin lives and works as a construction foreman in North Carolina. He is a husband and a father and has served as a Volunteer Child Advocate for the Young Center’s Phoenix Office. At his core, he is committed to giving back and ensuring that other children are not forced to navigate these challenges alone and to do something to serve immigrant communities, especially during these times of heightened enforcement. As a member of the Young Center’s Board of Directors, he hopes to bring his lived experience as a former unaccompanied child into leadership and decision-making spaces.