Helping migrants
Lay missioners Roberto Moreno and Jackie Moreno Salgado who serve Living Waters UMC in Franklin Park, Ill., bring donations to dozens of immigrant families staying in a suburban hotel in Burr Ridge. (Northern Illinois Conference Photo)
United Methodists in the Northern Illinois Conference are pitching in to welcome and aid hundreds of migrants who've been shipped to Chicago in a political gesture by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
More than 300 asylum seekers have arrived on buses sent from Texas since Aug. 31. In collaboration with local, state, federal, and community governments, the city of Chicago is taking action to ensure they have access to shelter, food, and other resources.
The city of Chicago expects to receive hundreds more migrants from Texas. Under the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard, thousands of migrants have already been bused to Washington D.C. and New York City.
Last week several Lay Missioners with the NIC Hispanic/Latino Academy and for Faith Community Development who serve Living Waters New Faith Community in Franklin Park brought donations and toys to dozens of immigrant families staying in a suburban hotel. The Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors is also helping with legal assistance.
Northern Illinois Conference Refugee Coordinator Rev. Jonathan Crail is putting together a list of churches for drop-off locations across the conference. Check back online here soon and read more.
The Northern Illinois Conference is working with the city of Chicago and several agencies on donation and volunteer requests. Click below for more info.
City of Chicago - Chicago.gov/support
World Relief Chicagoland - worldrelief.org/chicagoland/bus-response
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) - download flyer