Aid to Asylum Seekers and Unaccompanied Children
April 19, 2021
The St. Anthony response to the needs of unaccompanied children crossing into Arizona from Mexico has been quick and heartfelt with contributions of “comfort bags” coming to the church daily for these young people as they prepare to be moved from detention centers and reunited with parents, relatives and sponsors across the U.S.
However, the needs at the border and of those seeking asylum in this country don’t stop there. For parishioners looking for other ways to help and to contribute funds to the border-ministry efforts of our Diocese and other denominations, we offer these suggestions:
There is an opportunity to donate online through our Diocese to the Cruzando Fronteras (Crossing Borders) ministry that supplies everything from food and shelter to health care. If parishioners prefer to write a check, they may do so making the check payable to St. Anthony, writing “border ministry” in the memo line. Either mail the check to the church or place it in the collection plate at services. We will see that this money gets to the Diocese and its Cruzando Fronteras ministry.
Another resource is the Phoenix Welcome Center, operated by the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit that long has helped refugees and displaced persons around the world. Their need in Arizona is for volunteers to help welcome and assist asylum seekers arriving in the Valley.
The St. Anthony response to the needs of unaccompanied children crossing into Arizona from Mexico has been quick and heartfelt with contributions of “comfort bags” coming to the church daily for these young people as they prepare to be moved from detention centers and reunited with parents, relatives and sponsors across the U.S.
However, the needs at the border and of those seeking asylum in this country don’t stop there. For parishioners looking for other ways to help and to contribute funds to the border-ministry efforts of our Diocese and other denominations, we offer these suggestions:
There is an opportunity to donate online through our Diocese to the Cruzando Fronteras (Crossing Borders) ministry that supplies everything from food and shelter to health care. If parishioners prefer to write a check, they may do so making the check payable to St. Anthony, writing “border ministry” in the memo line. Either mail the check to the church or place it in the collection plate at services. We will see that this money gets to the Diocese and its Cruzando Fronteras ministry.
Another resource is the Phoenix Welcome Center, operated by the International Rescue Committee, a nonprofit that long has helped refugees and displaced persons around the world. Their need in Arizona is for volunteers to help welcome and assist asylum seekers arriving in the Valley.
Fr. David Chavez, Missioner for Border Ministries of our diocese, mentioned one immediate need in the Douglas/Naco area the weekend of April 23/24 and perhaps the following weekend as well. Many unaccompanied children/asylum seekers that have been sheltered in the area will be transported then by plane or bus to other parts of the country to be reunited with parents, relatives or other sponsors. These children have few, if any, personal items. Fr. Chavez asked if we, as a community, would consider filling one gallon ziploc-style bags that can be carried in a backpack with the following items:
- Non-perishable snacks for 3-4 days
- Activity books with writing device
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Hand sanitizer
- 1-2 masks
- Combs