Today, I am hopeful.

I am hopeful because so many religious denominations are coming together to support immigration reform to benefit thousands of immigrant children crossing our borders to flee violence and exploitation.

I am hopeful because more people are realizing that it is much easier to hate an idea than it is to hate thousands of children — though some are taking longer to learn this. Some still insist on using their privileged American voices to preach hate and intolerance.

I am hopeful because, if we can love other countries’ children, perhaps there is hope for us to do a better job of loving our own. Perhaps we can turn our attention to more positive, life-affirming ways of making sure more children are cared for in America.

If we can stand together as conservatives and progressives, as we should, for the safety of children who are here from Central America, then I am hopeful we can stand together and better provide for children in our country, our own state and our own community.

I am hopeful that we can realize that cutting taxes over and over again only ends up hurting our most vulnerable children who rely on meals at school as their only source of food. Not being willing to pay a little more in taxes hurts children who need to be taken into the foster care system or the child protection system because their parents abuse or neglect them.

These systems are already overburdened, and when we cut public funds, we cut services to these children in very real ways. And when we continue to cut services, we might as well be yelling at them in front of cameras to go back to their abusers, to go back to those who don’t or can’t care for them, to go away because we don’t want to deal with them.

I am hopeful that we can remember our collective abundance as a country and community. I’m hopeful we can come together to provide quality health care, including birth control and reproductive health services, to all those within our borders. I am hopeful we can decide that keeping the Public Health Clinic open in Federal Way is more important than rallying against a tax on junk food or an income tax.

I am hopeful we can open our minds and our hearts and do more of the right thing for more people more of the time.

Today, I am hopeful.

Amy Johnson, MSW, is a trainer, educator and coach in the Pacific Northwest. She is co-author of the books, “Parenting by Strengths: A Parent’s Guide for Challenging Situations” and “Homegrown Faith and Justice.” Amy facilitates classes and workshops in the Puget Sound area and online. She specializes in working with parents and in sexuality education. Amy can be reached at comments@diligentjoy.com.