RAICES 2022 Holiday Gift Guide

From Mo Willems’ Pigeon Presents comes an all-dialogue early reader that cleverly taps into readers’ passion for categorization. Foam-stamped, digitally finished illustrations, set against minimalist backgrounds, introduce four critters of varying size and color, who are welcoming and unabashedly appreciative of each other’s talents — and new readers’ needs. The critters model the kind of club that anyone would be happy to join.

The stories of refugees who fled violence or persecution only to become trapped in the worst refugee camps in Europe. Helen Benedict, award-winning British-American professor of journalism at Columbia University, teams up with Syrian writer and refugee, Eyad Awwadawnan, to present the stories of five refugees who have endured long and dangerous journeys from the Middle East and Africa to Greece.

This deeply personal perspective from human rights lawyer Efrén Olivares — whose work on the front lines of the fight against family separations in South Texas intertwines with his own story of immigrating to the U.S. at 13 — reframes the U.S.’ history as a nation of immigrants but also a nation against immigrants.

From the acclaimed actor and Stonewall Honor–winning author of The Best at It, Maulik Pancholy, comes a new middle grade novel about a gay Indian American boy who learns the power of using his voice.

From Celeste Ng, the #1 bestselling author of Little Fires Everywhere, a deeply suspenseful and heartrending novel about the unbreakable love between a mother and child in a society consumed by fear.

A young poet tells the inspiring story of his migration from El Salvador to the U.S. at the age of nine in this memoir as gripping as it is moving. Solito provides an immediate and intimate account not only of a treacherous and near-impossible journey, but also of the miraculous kindness and love delivered at the most unexpected moments. Solito is Javier Zamora’s story, but it’s also the story of millions of others who had no choice but to leave home.

Created entirely by undocumented or formerly undocumented migrants and edited by Sonia Guiñansaca and Reyna Grande, Somewhere We Are Human is a journey of memory and yearning from people newly arrived to America, those who have been here for decades, and those who have ultimately chosen to leave or were deported. Touching on themes of race, class, gender, nationality, sexuality, politics, and parenthood, Somewhere We Are Human reveals how joy, hope, mourning, and perseverance can take root in the toughest soil and bloom in the harshest conditions.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Meena Harris, The Truth About Mrs. Claus is an empowering story about being true to yourself, honoring family traditions, and believing in Christmas magic.

Sustainability and fair business practices are very important to RAICES and Dark Matter Coffee. Dark Matter Coffee brings transparency to each cup of joe through its direct partnerships with farmers in El Salvador, Guatemala, Colombia, and Mexico. For this blend, Dark Matter Coffee paired two washed coffees together, one from Chiapas, Mexico, and the other from Finca Santa Petrona in El Salvador. Together, these two create a sweet, balanced cup that is perfect to warm you up on these cooler mornings.

Founded by Asian Americans Eunice Byun and Dave Nguyen, Material honors tradition and the role that food plays in briding cultural divides. Giving back to the community is a core part of the Material ethos. RAICES was one of the first beneficiaries of the company’s trailblazing annual “Kinder Kitchens” campaign — encouraging one another to fight for a more equitable table and using cooking as a tool to uplift individuals and communities. This year, they’ve invited kids into the kitchen!

Chef, cooking instructor, food stylist, recipe developer, and the founder of The Mad Table, Patricia Morrell-Ruiz transports your taste buds to Havana with classic recipes that show you how to capture the incredible flavors of beloved Cuban dishes without leaving the comfort of your kitchen.

In The Rise, chef, author, and television star Marcus Samuelsson gathers together an unforgettable feast of food, culture, and history to highlight the diverse deliciousness of Black cooking today.

From the Garza family, creators of Siete Family Foods brand, comes this flavorful collection of nourishing Mexican-American recipes. Join Siete in sharing real food, gathering together in authentic community, and advocating for healthier lifestyles among Latino families.

A beloved character gets his big-screen debut in this hilarious and heartwarming film from A24 about finding connection in the smallest corners and reuniting with family after separation.

In this Netflix series from A24, Mo Najjar straddles the line between two cultures, three languages, and a ton of foolishness as a Palestinian refugee constantly living one step away from asylum on the path to U.S. citizenship.

In the video game “Papers, Please,” the player takes on the role of a border-crossing immigration officer in the fictional dystopian Eastern Bloc-like country of Arstotzka. The game takes place at a migration checkpoint. As the immigration officer, the player must review each immigrant and return citizens’ passports and other supporting paperwork against an ever-growing list of rules using a number of tools and guides. Tasks include allowing in those with the proper paperwork while rejecting those without all proper documents, detaining those with falsified information, and balancing personal finances.

Award-winning journalist Lisa Ling — whose own family story began in a Chinese restaurant — travels from the bayous of Louisiana to Orange County’s Little Saigon, exploring the foods we love while shining a long overdue spotlight on the contributions Asian Americans have been making to the United States since before the United States was even the United States.

Award winning cookbook author, host and executive producer Padma Lakshmi, takes audiences on a journey across America, exploring the rich and diverse food culture of various immigrant groups, seeking out the people who have so heavily shaped what American food is today. From indigenous communities to recent immigrant arrivals, Padma breaks bread with Americans across the nation to uncover the roots and relationship between our food, our humanity and our history — ultimately revealing stories that challenge notions of identity, belonging, and what it means to be American.

Known for his incisive social commentary on Patriot Act, Hasan Minhaj returns to his storytelling roots with a vulnerable and hilarious portrait of a comedian struggling with fertility, fatherhood, fame, and freedom of speech — all against the backdrop of a jaw-dropping visual experience.

Celebrating the sharing spirit of tapas and Spanish food since 2006, Boqueria been a space for RAICES to build community for years — and even joined forces with Just Salad and Kendra Scott in support of our direct services. Enjoy a meal with family and friends at locations in New York, DC, Chicago, and Nashville.

1% of all sales from H-E-B’s Diosa product line supports RAICES year-round. If you’re looking for anything from a naturally luxurious pumice stone to a practical nail clipper, look no further.

The butterfly has long been a symbol of the right of all living beings to move freely. Kendra Scott’s collection, representing transformation and growth, is a meaningful (and playful!) match for your everyday look.

Since 2019, ride-share enthusiasts have been able to round up their Lyft rides and donate to RAICES, providing over $700,000 to date to transport clients to and from direct services and court appearances. For those who are always on the go, taking a Lyft can also uplift RAICES.

New York Theatre Workshop is one of America’s leading not-for-profit theatres, led by a community of people seeking to better understand our world through theatre. For 40 years, NYTW has cultivated a space where our common humanity is affirmed.

The food and drink at Chef Bryce Gilmore’s Sour Duck Market are inspired by local farmers and purveyors showing true craftsmanship in cooking by serving good, local food, made the way nature intended—from scratch.