The Village Exchange Center in northwest Aurora provides immigrants with services, including a weekly food pantry, vaccinations, career and education counseling, legal services, a community farm initiative, and more.

Recently, I had the incredible honor of being named a finalist for the 9NEWS Leader of the Year award alongside two extraordinary individuals. While I did not ultimately win, standing among such inspiring leaders reinforced a truth that feels more urgent than ever: leadership today must be rooted in compassion, courage, and a deep commitment to those on society’s margins.

At the Village Exchange Center (VEC), where I serve as Chief Executive Officer, we are witnessing firsthand the devastating effects of shifting immigration policies. The recent revocations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the tightening restrictions on asylum seekers, and the growing hostility toward undocumented communities are not abstract political debates for us—they are daily emergencies.

Amanda Blaurock, executive director of
Village Exchange Center

Families who fled violence, persecution, and disaster in hopes of a better future are now living in fear. Many who were once protected by humanitarian programs are facing an uncertain tomorrow. The national polarization on immigration policy has real, human consequences: children pulled from classrooms, parents losing work authorization, entire families being pushed back into instability.

Yet, at the very moment when need is surging, organizations like Village Exchange Center—frontline hubs of hope and support—are struggling to survive. Funding is drying up. Resources are stretched thinner than ever. We are being asked to do more with less, at a time when the moral imperative to act could not be clearer.

This is not just a policy failure; it is a moral crisis. And it calls for courageous leadership across every sector—business, nonprofit, faith, education, and government.

I often reflect on the beautiful diversity we see at VEC: our board and staff include immigrants, refugees, Black, white, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ members. Our community represents 42 countries of origin and every imaginable life journey. It is a living, breathing testament to what America can be at its best—a place where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated.

As leaders and citizens, we have a choice: to let fear and division dictate our future, or to stand firmly in the belief that our strength lies in our diversity. Mahatma Gandhi reminded us that “A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.” Today, that measure is being tested.

At a time when politics seeks to divide us, we must lead with love. We must listen harder, reach further, and act bolder. Whether we agree or disagree on policy specifics, we must never lose sight of our shared humanity.

Leadership is not an accolade; it is a responsibility. Let us meet this moment—not with walls, but with bridges. Not with fear, but with fierce, unwavering hope.

Donate to the Village Exchange Center today and help us continue this urgent work: villageexchangecenter.org/donate.

Because the time for courage is not tomorrow. It’s now.