Joshua Bennett
Catholic Charities Community Services and other Catholic organizations have been assisting refugees and immigrants at the US-Mexico border for many years. They provide food, shelter, housing, and support to vulnerable populations, including asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and survivors of sex trafficking. However, their work has recently come under fire, with accusations of enabling unlawful migration and breaking the law in their border response. Despite this, Catholic Charities remains committed to serving migrants and advocating for humane immigration reforms that prioritize the security of the border and the dignity of those on both sides. Those who wish to help can volunteer with local churches, donate to Catholic Charities, and advocate for migrants' rights with friends, family, and the public.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of the crisis | Humanitarian |
| Who is affected | Asylum-seeking families, refugees, immigrants, children |
| Who is providing aid | Catholic Charities Community Services, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Relief Services, Local Catholic Charities, Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), Hope Border Institute |
| Types of aid | Food, shelter, clothing, foster care, refugee services, reunification of families, legal services, advocacy, monetary support, prayers |
| Calls for action | Reform immigration system, educate oneself, advocate for migrants, welcome them into communities and treat them with dignity |
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What You'll Learn
Provide food, shelter, and clothing to asylum seekers
Providing food, shelter, and clothing to asylum seekers is a cornerstone of Catholic Charities' identity. Asylum seekers often arrive with only the clothes on their backs, and Catholic Charities agencies offer a continuum of services to those in need, including asylum seekers and refugees.
For asylum seekers arriving at the Southern border, those services may include food, clothing, and shelter. For example, the Catholic Charities Diocese of Laredo provides food, clothing, showers, and a place to sleep for asylum seekers. They serve beans and tortillas, and food that can be eaten out of a cup, like fruit cocktail. The shelter in Laredo is one of 17 Catholic Charities centers around the country that are receiving asylum seekers.
Catholic Charities Community Services in Arizona also provides food, shelter, and clothing to asylum seekers. They serve families from South America who are fleeing prosecution and seeking a better life.
In addition to providing basic needs, Catholic Charities agencies also offer transportation support, immigration legal services, and case management to asylum seekers. They work to welcome and integrate newcomers, offering critical services to vulnerable populations.
Catholic Charities agencies are committed to serving their vulnerable sisters and brothers and welcoming strangers within the confines of the law. Their work is humanitarian, not political, and they advocate for just and fair policies that help people reach their full potential.
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Support foster care for unaccompanied minors
The Catholic Church and its charities have been providing aid to migrants and refugees for decades, including food, shelter, and support to foster care children, families, veterans, sex-trafficked survivors, and other vulnerable people. Catholic Charities Community Services has a specific Unaccompanied Minor Foster Care program that provides a unique supportive environment for both the foster family and the unaccompanied refugee minor.
The program supports youth and equips them with the skills to enter adulthood and achieve self-sufficiency. It addresses the specific challenges and losses that each unaccompanied refugee minor faces, including the pain of being separated from their families, limited English language skills, and the need for long-term care to help meet their physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.
The Unaccompanied Minor Foster Care program provides individualized foster care, legal aid, and healthcare. Foster parents receive a monthly stipend to help with the costs of care, and each family is provided with ongoing support, training, and guidance by a dedicated foster care specialist. Youth in the URM program remain eligible for foster care until the age of 21, unlike traditional foster care programs where youth leave at 18.
To become a foster parent, couples must be married, have sufficient space to accommodate another person, be financially stable, and pass background checks and training classes. Single, non-cohabiting adults can also become foster parents.
If you are unable to become a foster parent, there are other ways to help. You can donate to Catholic Charities Community Services, volunteer at churches that are hosting families overnight, or advocate for migrants with friends, family, and publicly.
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Advocate for migrants' rights and dispel misinformation
The Catholic Church has long been involved in assisting migrants and refugees, providing food, shelter, and other support to vulnerable people. However, Catholic charities and their work with migrants have recently come under fire, with some accusing them of incentivizing unlawful migration and breaking the law. These accusations have been refuted, with evidence suggesting that migration is influenced by a complex set of factors rather than the presence of shelters.
In the face of these challenges, it is crucial to advocate for migrants' rights and dispel misinformation. Here are some ways to do this:
Educate Yourself and Others
Inform yourself about the issues facing migrants and refugees, as well as the work of the Church in assisting them. Debunk myths and misinterpreted information about migration. Learn about the experiences of migrants and refugees as individuals, and share their stories with others to humanize the issue. Utilize resources such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office of Migration and Refugee Services to access factual information.
Contact Legislators
Express your opinions and concerns about the immigration system to your representatives in Congress, Senators, and the White House. Urge them to reform the system and support organizations helping migrants. Catholic Charities USA provides a form with language to encourage representatives to make changes.
Support Organizations Helping Migrants
Assist organizations like Catholic Charities and Catholic Legal Immigration Network that are actively supporting migrants and refugees. Offer monetary donations or volunteer your time to help with their efforts in providing shelter, food, and legal assistance to those in need.
Advocate Publicly
Use your voice to advocate for migrants' rights in public spaces, with friends, and within your family. Speak out against misinformation and advocate for policies that respect the dignity and rights of migrants and refugees.
Pray and Engage Spiritually
Catholic Relief Services has developed prayers to assist those struggling with the issue of migration. Engaging in prayer and spiritual practices can provide support and guidance during challenging times.
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Offer prayers and donations to churches hosting families
Offering prayers and donations to churches that are hosting families is a great way to help during the border crisis. Catholic Charities Community Services and local churches have been serving refugees and immigrants for many years. They provide food, shelter, housing, and support to foster care children, families, veterans, sex-trafficked survivors, and other vulnerable people.
You can help by donating money, food, clothing, and other necessities to these churches and organizations. You can also volunteer your time and talents, which are equally cherished and valuable. Monetary donations can be made through organizations like Catholic Charities USA, which provides a form for donating and urging representatives to reform the immigration system. Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of San Antonio is another organization that is seeking monetary support and volunteers.
If you want to donate to a specific church, you can do so through their website or by contacting them directly. Many churches now have online fundraising campaigns and donation kiosks, making it convenient for individuals to contribute. You can also host fundraising events, such as a gala or a family picnic, to attract funds from church members and the public. When seeking clothing donations, churches should define the purpose of the request and provide clear instructions for drop-off locations and times.
Prayers are also invaluable during this time. Catholic Relief Services offers prayers and reflections to support those in need and connect with God's grace. They also have a monthly giving program called Footsteps in Faith, where you can make a difference all year long.
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Volunteer with Catholic Charities or other humanitarian organisations
Catholic Charities Community Services and their community partners need support to help asylum-seeking families fleeing prosecution and other hardships from South America. Local churches and nonprofits are being called to help. Since October 2018, thousands of vulnerable families have needed immediate shelter, food, clothing, and other necessities after being released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across the southwest.
Catholic Charities Community Services provides food, shelter, housing, and support to foster care children, families, veterans, sex-trafficked survivors, and other vulnerable people. They have been serving refugees and immigrants for many years with their Refugee Services, Unaccompanied Minor Foster Care, and Familias Unidas Immigration Program. They believe in family unity and help those who have been granted refugee status, as well as foster families who help unaccompanied minors.
To volunteer with Catholic Charities, you can call the Alliance of Christian Leaders of the East Valley at 480-645-8894 or 480-495-1609 to help churches hosting families overnight. You can also call Catholic Community Services in Yuma at 928-580-4968 to support with donations. Local Catholic Charities, including the Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of San Antonio, are seeking volunteers and monetary support as they assist in the reunification of families.
Other humanitarian organisations, such as Catholic Relief Services, have developed prayers to assist people struggling with the issue of migrants on the border. In addition, the Hope Border Institute, an advocacy and service agency based in El Paso, works with migrants and refugees.
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Frequently asked questions
Catholic Charities Community Services provides food, shelter, and other necessities to asylum-seeking families. You can help by donating to or volunteering with churches that are hosting families overnight. You can also call your legislators and express your support for a more humane immigration system.
Families from South America are fleeing violence and prosecution, seeking a better life for their children. Many people of goodwill and Catholic organizations are trying to help those approaching the US-Mexico border.
Local Catholic Charities are seeking volunteers and monetary support as they assist in the reunification of families. You can also open your home to a refugee youth through foster parent programs.
Catholic Charities agencies provide care and support to vulnerable people on the move, including migrants and refugees. They serve meals, provide shelter, and assist with family reunification. Catholic Charities has defended their work as humanitarian and protected by the First Amendment.
Catholic leaders have called for bipartisan and humane reforms to the immigration system, prioritizing the security of the border and the dignity of those on both sides. They have also advocated for the right to asylum and an end to the inhumane practice of immigrant detention.
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