Sanctuary City: how to help our newest neighbors
(June 15, 2023) Our newest neighbors are more than 10,000 asylum seekers sent here as a political stunt by the shameless governor of Texas. They're sleeping in police stations and impromptu shelters and more are arriving every day. Is our Sanctuary City meeting the moment? What can Indivisibles do to help?
Those questions were the topic at the most recent Blue Thursday, our monthly political mixer at the Hideout (see the video here).
Our guest speakers were Juan-Antonio Montesinos, a leader of the Chicago Volunteers Police Station Response Team, and Madison Savedra, who has been covering the story for Block Club Chicago.
Below is a list of suggestions made by our guests and by interested people in the audience. We are updating and amending the list as information comes in. Please note that these suggestions have not been vetted by Indivisible Chicago.
Update: In late October, as temperatures fell and the stream of arrivals continued unabated, asylum seekers were spilling outside police station buildings into tents and makeshift shelter. Our South-Side and Blue Beginning chapters published these suggestions:
Donate coats: Block Club Chicago reports that a national nonprofit is working with the city to provide 18,000 coats to migrants. One Warm Coat asks people to collect coats and drop them off with a local partner. Coats must be clean and have functional zippers or buttons. Find dropoff locations and instructions here.
Support the purchase of needed supplies: Brenda Delgado, lead volunteer for the Chicago Police Station Response Team in police districts 2 and 3, is purchasing items to fulfill specific needs at those stations. Crucial supplies include clothing, tents, tarps, hand warmers, and other items to make outdoor living endurable as Chicago winter approaches. To help purchase needed items you can send funds to Brenda Delgado via Venmo.
Update: On September 28 Indivisible Chicago sent this letter to Mayor Johnson and City Council leadership regarding the plan to house asylum seekers in tent encampments provided by the private firm GardaWorld.
These suggestions were published in June 2023:
Use this form to volunteer for the Police Station Response Team.
Read about, donate to, and/or contact the Figueroa Wu Family Foundation, a Pilsen-based nonprofit founded by Chicago physicians.
This article from Block Club Chicago dates from the beginnings of the crisis but lists several social service agencies that may still be seeking support or volunteers: Here’s how you can help migrants arriving in Chicago from Texas.
Sign up as a volunteer on this city of Chicago intake form. Your results may vary. The city also publishes a donations page with links to donate needed items through Amazon.com and the Instituto del Progreso Latino.
Many Chicago alderpersons are collecting items and coordinating volunteer efforts. Find your alder’s website and office location here.
