We are all one
Dear friends,
To offer support, our Engaged Mindfulness Working Group (Camille, Magda, Phyllis, and Sheila) has been actively discussing the urgent challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, as well as many immigrants—both documented and undocumented—throughout the United States. They have identified organizations that advocate for both groups, including LGBTQ+ organizations that recognize intersectionality of experiences, and organizations assisting immigrants to understand their rights and prevent deportation and other challenges.
We recognize the struggles of immigrants because many, though not all, of us have experienced immigration, arriving in this country ourselves or our ancestors arriving before us. We also stand in solidarity with members of the LGBTQ+ community who experience discrimination and hardship.
We warmly invite you to review the information and links provided below. If you are able, please consider joining us in supporting these communities in their time of need. If you have any questions, please feel free to reply to this email.
Thank you so much and a lotus for you,
The Opening Heart Mindfulness Community
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IMMIGRANT SUPPORT
1) Volunteer with the Congregation Action Network (CAN)
Some of the things CAN is seeking assistance for includes:
Family Preparedness Teams - CAN is forming multi-congregational teams to help local families prepare for possible immigration challenges. This includes assistance finding legal resources, preparing documents, and more.
Hotline Volunteer - CAN also helps run a migrant support hotline. They need more volunteers. Volunteers must speak Spanish.
Rapid Response - Many local organizations are prepared to issue rapid response to show up in public witness in case of raids or other actions.
2) Legal Support Volunteer with CASA (and other volunteering opportunities)
There are many ways to get involved with CASA. They need people to help with legal support and other services including education, citizenship, and workforce development.
Volunteer sign-up here.
CASA also advocates for the priorities of its immigrant members. You can support them by joining the ally network here.
More information here.
3) Hispanics Against Child Abuse & Neglect
HACAN (Hispanics Against Child Abuse & Neglect) is a Northern Virginia nonprofit dedicated to strengthening families through parent education and youth programs. Since 1985, HACAN has promoted child abuse prevention and community awareness. Serving hundreds of Fairfax County families, its culturally sensitive programs provide life skills mentoring for children, advocacy opportunities for teens, and parenting support to help families navigate cultural challenges.
4) Distribute “Know Your Rights Information”
Distributing Know Your Rights Flyers or cards are one way to share information that can help keep people safe. Perhaps you can post this in libraries or grocery boards, on neighborhood list-serves or just give to people you know. Here are some resources
Flyers from CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.)
If you are interested in any of the following specific roles, here is the contact information to get involved:
Transporting people to their ICE appointments
Contact Susaanti Follingstad at sfolling@verizon.net. You may cc Magda Cabrero at magdacabrero@yahoo.comServing as a Hotline Volunteer with CAN/Migrant Solidarity Action Network
Sign up here: Hotline Volunteer Interest FormHelping with Family Preparedness (preparing families for what they might do in case of an arrest)
Contact Andrew Batcher at abatcher@cedarlane.org.
This is a new development that CAN has just started working on. Please cc Magda Cabrero at: magdacabrero@yahoo.com
LGBTQ+ RIGHTS AND SUPPORT
Local, great clearinghouse of information, advocacy & assistance for Trans people in these hard times; sensitive to all kinds of intersectionalities like neuro-diverse, immigrants, etc.; no national profile so they're not getting nation-wide donations; regularly organizes events, like the documents assistance clinic, that can use volunteers.
Join their mailing list here.
Volunteer form here.
More information here.
Some LGBTQ youth & their families are really struggling now, especially in DC. SMYAL provides a ton of support, activities, and resources; sensitive to all kinds of intersectionalities like neuro-diverse, immigrants, etc. Like Trans Maryland, they don’t get nation-wide donations.