Anna’s world was turning upside down. Instead of watching her neighbors bustling to jobs and school or laughing children playing on the jungle gym, she saw nothing but empty streets. Fear, worry and heartache seemed etched on every face.
“There must be something I can do to help,” she thought. “I know I can’t change the world or even my own town, but there must be something I can do to help my neighbors.”
Recent Raids Spread Fear Throughout the Community
Immigration raids made some of her long-time friends so anxious they wouldn’t even leave their homes.
Many of her neighbors didn’t have enough food for their families because they were afraid to go to the grocery store or because they were fearful of going to work.
Some were afraid to send their children to school. She heard rumors that many basic service providers and even schools were at risk of losing critical funding.
Anna vowed to find a way to help. She was surprised at what she found out.
Local Nonprofits Can Help
Anna discovered that several local organizations were working together to help her neighbors.
· Carpinteria Children’s Project (CCP) conducts immigration forums to inform people about their rights. CCP Promotoras distribute information to the community and their staff patrol the streets for troubling activity. The Fund for Santa Barbara enables CCP to host a legal clinic so people can meet one-on-one with an immigration lawyer.
· Santa Barbara Foundation uses donations from their new Community Engagement Fund to support the efforts of local nonprofits that are helping immigrant families.
· Immigrant Legal Defense Center provides pro bono legal services and community “Know Your Rights” workshops.
· MICOP (Mixteco Indígena Community Organizing Project) offers language access, health support, and advocacy for indigenous immigrant families.
· SB ACT (Santa Barbara Alliance for Community Transformation) brings together churches and nonprofits to offer emergency support and accompaniment.
· 805Undocufund operates the Rapid Response Network including a 24/7 hotline at 805-870‑8855 and many other vital services.
· Foodbank of Santa Barbara County actively provides food and nutrition education to families that struggle with food insecurity and arranges for delivery of food to families living in fear of deportation.
Anna decided to contact some of these organizations to find out more about their services. Talking with some of the leaders helped clarify her thoughts.
“Caring about our immigrant neighbors isn’t enough — we must take action to ensure every family feels safe, supported, and valued in our community. Fortunately, there are many ways to do that in our county,” said Teresa Alvarez, executive director of Carpinteria Children’s Project.
“Donors who contribute to the Community Engagement Fund make it possible for the Santa Barbara Foundation to be nimble, responsive and innovative to address the evolving needs in our communities, particularly given the recent impact of federal funding cuts,” said Jackie Carrera, president/CEO.
Anna now felt ready to make a plan of action for herself. She felt good about being able to do her part to make things better for her troubled neighbors.
Make a Plan of Action
She vowed to do three things right away.
· She will speak up when she hears anti-immigrant comments so her silence could not be mistaken for agreement.
· She will volunteer her time with organizations offering legal, educational or emotional support.
· She will donate financially to local groups working with families in the neighborhood.
· She will shop for and deliver groceries for her fearful neighbors.
Anna also made a list of things she might do in the future or recommend to her friends who also wanted to do something to help.
· Help document activity during enforcement raids.
· Volunteer her time to help mobilize response teams and monitor hotlines.
· Accompany families to court hearings and legal appointments.
· Spread the word on social media and encourage others to sign up for the Rapid Response Hotline.
· Reach out to her elected officials.
· Protest the unjust treatment of her friends and neighbors whenever she could.
Anna knew she had many friends who also wanted to help. She felt good about her new plan of action. So, she began to tell her friends about the opportunities to help that she discovered. She encouraged each of them to make their own plan of action.