volunteer with one of these organizations to help refugees...

The Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis www.synagoguecoalition.org

Volunteer with one of these Organizations To Help Refugees and Immigrants

First Friends of New Jersey & New York upholds the inherent dignity and humanity of detained immigrants and asylum seekers. They provide compassion and hope through volunteer visitation, resettlement assistance and advocacy.

To Volunteer contact Rosa at [email protected] or call 908-965-0455.

• Visit immigrant detainees at the Elizabeth Detention Center, the Hudson County Correctional Center, the Bergen County Jail and at the Essex County Correctional Center. Training and access for visiting are provided by First Friends. Urgent need for Spanish speakers.

• Pen Pals - write to detainees regularly. • Stamp Out Despair – help collect writing and other materials

HIAS is the global Jewish nonprofit that protects refugees whose lives are in danger for being who they are. They protect vulnerable refugees, including women and children and ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities. They ensure that refugees can take control and rebuild their lives in safety and security. They advocate for the protection of refugees and

make sure that all displaced people are treated with dignity. Guided by their Jewish values and history, they bring more than 130 years of expertise to their work with refugees. To volunteer, contact: https://hias.org/volunteer

• • English language conversation partner • ENL/ESL Tutor • Career & College mentor

• New York neighbor • Program support volunteer • Volunteer translation & interpretation

International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. To volunteer, complete a volunteer application at: https://www.rescue.org/volunteer-opportunities/new-york-ny

• Adult ESL Volunteers • Cultural Orientation Intern

• Unaccompanied children intern • Family Education Support Volunteer


Make the Road New York integrates four core strategies for concrete change that millions of families feel everyday: Legal and Survival Services, Transformative Education, Community Organizing and Policy Innovation.

To volunteer, contact: [email protected]

• Adult literacy and training programs • Teaching & tutoring English literacy, Spanish literacy, computer skills and GED prep

The Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees is the nation’s leading interfaith response to the Syrian refugee crisis. To address this crisis, they mobilize the interfaith response; advocate for sensible and humane refugee policies; cultivate groundbreaking partnerships in the region, raise funds for humanitarian relief and create awareness of facts, needs and opportunities for positive action. To date, MFA has facilitated the delivery of more than $31M of relief, including clothing,

blankets, food, sanitary items, medications, medical equipment, medical supplies and two ambulances. To volunteer, contact: [email protected]

• Marches & vigils • Packing relief supplies

• Welcome dinners • Resettlement support

The New Sanctuary Coalition is an interfaith network of congregations, organizations and individuals, standing publicly in solidarity with families and communities resisting detention and deportation in order to stay together. Every day, New Sanctuary makes a difference in the lives of hundreds of immigrants by fighting to change the system while giving direct emotional, spiritual and legal support to those targeted by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) through its

Accompaniment and Pro Se Asylum Clinics. To volunteer, https://newsanctuarycoalition.nationbuilder.com/get-involved Accompaniment Trainings

• Monday, November 19 @ 6:30, Asbury United Methodist Church, Croton-on-Hudson, NY • Monday, November 26 @ 6:30, Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, 30 W 68th St, [email protected] • Wednesday, November 28 @ 6:30, Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn • Monday, December 3 @ Central Synagogue, 652 Lexington Ave

Pro Se Asylum Immigration Clinic

• Clinics every Tuesday from 6:00 – 8:30 at NYU Law School • Sign up for a future training on the website

Jericho Walk

• Every Thursday 11:00 AM at 26 Federal Plaza & 5:00 PM at 201 Varick Street


Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights educates, defends and protects the rights of immigrants and is committed to expanding access to legal immigration services, participating in policy making and community organizing. The Coalition educates, organizes and defends the immigrant community around the following issues: family reunification, citizenship, family-based

petitions, deportation, civics/ESL classes and more. To Volunteer, contact: [email protected]

• Citizenship drives • Special events • English and civics classes

RIF welcomes refugees seeking asylum in New York City. Each month they host a workshop that includes legal assistance, social support and needed food and toiletries. Many of the asylum seekers are in desperate need as they are not eligible for government safety net supports.

To volunteer, contact: [email protected] • French & Spanish translation • CV & resume writing and editing. Job interview practice. • Leads on potential housing & employment opportunities.

Vets for American Ideals is a nonpartisan group of veterans who share the belief that America is strongest when its policies and actions match its ideals. Current campaigns are focused on saving the Special Immigrant Visa program for interpreters and translators

who served with the U.S. military, protecting refugees and countering Islamophobia. To volunteer, contact: [email protected] & https://www.vfai.org/

• Letter writing to legislators

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights champions the best interests of children who arrive in the U.S. unaccompanied. They help children in deportation proceedings, advocating for their best interests and advocate for a children’s immigrant justice system that ensures the safety and well-being of every child. To volunteer, contact: [email protected]

• Become a child advocate for unaccompanied immigrant children. • Apply now for next training in Spring 2019


And some more activities…

Advocacy – Before November 6th - email The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a regulation that would terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, which sets the national standards for the detention, release and treatment of both accompanied and unaccompanied children. The proposed regulation would allow children to be detained indefinitely and reverse existing protections for children in DHS custody. Voice your opposition during the public comment period, prior to November 6th. Email comments to: [email protected]. Include the Federal Register Docket Number in the subject line: DHS Docket No. ICEB-2018-0002 Sample email: I strongly oppose the proposed rule that would allow children to be detained indefinitely. The rule would overturn the Flores settlement, which has been the law since 1997 and prevents children from being detained longer than 20 days. Advocacy – Before December 10th – email The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed changes to the public charge rule which discriminates against immigrants with lower incomes and those who use a variety of essential health and social services. It will also make it harder for those with chronic illnesses or disabilities to gain documented immigration status. Voice your opposition during the public comment period, prior to December 10th. Send the email through the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/help/legal-services/public-charge.page Sample email: I strongly oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed rule change to "public charge.” The policy will undermine access to essential health, nutrition and shelter for immigrants and their family. If finalized, the rule would change our nation's historic commitment to welcoming immigrants. No longer would we be the country that serves as a beacon for the world’s dreamers and strivers. Instead, America’s doors would be open only to the highest bidder.

Help Refugees in Sanctuary on the UWS • Debora at St. Paul & St. Andrew -https: //my.lotsahelpinghands.com/community/spsasanctuary • Aura at Fourth Universalist – Join potluck dinner November 13, sponsored by Ansche Chesed

volunteer with one of these organizations to help refugees...

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