Helping the Migrant Community in DC
Here are ways you can immediately support the migrant community in our city:
1) Packing essentials for families: On the 4th Thursday of each month, St Mark’s volunteers pack groceries and clothing at a Capitol Hill church for migrant families in need. Contact Mike McCabe at mmccabe963@gmail.com to help.
2) Accompaniment of migrants to their court and ICE hearings. These hearings happen weekdays between 8am and 5pm, and generally take about half a day. Accompaniers are there to give migrants a ride to and from the hearing if that’s needed and to provide emotional support before and after the hearing. If interested in being trained, contact Holly Kreutter at hkreutts@hotmail.com.
3) Carepooling. This is specifically focused on giving one off, on demand support to migrant families who need volunteers to drive them or family members somewhere. This can be for grocery needs, doctor appointments, kids’ soccer practices, etc. For more information, email pdcgen@proton.me.
4) Post detention care. An increasing number of families in the Maryland, DC, Virginia area are experiencing the detention of a family member, often a breadwinner. This is putting a huge strain on the families as they struggle to cope. Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid (MSMA) is asking churches in the area to put together a team of volunteers to take on a family and give them support for 3-6 months. For more information about joining a St. Mark’s team in this kind of work, email Julie Murphy at juliaabbotmurphy@gmail.com.
5) Sorting clothes. Sort clothing once a week, either on Mondays from 1:00-3:00 pm or on Saturdays at a Capitol Hill church. Contact Holly Kreutter at hkreutts@hotmail.com.
6) Protective Watch: An Episcopal parish in NW DC provides weekly free food and meals, and needs volunteers to keep an eye out for ICE activity. If you are interested in serving in this capacity, email Julie atjuliaabbotmurphy@gmail.com to find out how to connect with the church via a secure Signal chat.
7) Prayer Witness for immigrants
A prayer witness organized by the St Camillus Immigrant Support and Advocacy Network is being held from 12:30-1:30pm outside the Hyattsville immigration courthouse on November 6, November 20, December 4 and December 18. Prayers and songs will be offered as a sign of support for those attending hearings that day. For more information, email Holly Kreutter at hkreutts@hotmail.com. Or sign up at this link: