Interfaith Welcome Coalition

A FAITH BASED MOVEMENT MEETING THE CHANGING NEEDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES AND AT-RISK IMMIGRANTS IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHERS.

IN CARRYING OUT ITS EXEMPT PURPOSES, INTERFAITH SEEKS TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF ASYLUM SEEKERS, REFUGEES, AND AT-RISK IMMIGRANTS INCOLLABORATION WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY INTERFAITH ARE DESCRIBED IN DETAIL BELOW:1. BUS STATION AND AIRPORT MINISTRY:WE ARE PRESENT AT THE GREYHOUND BUS STATION AND SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO WELCOME MIGRANTS WHO ARE RELEASED FROM DETENTION CENTERS AND PORTS OF ENTRY. OUR VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE A WARM WELCOME TO THE MIGRANTS AND VALUABLE EXPLANATIONS ON THE U.S. BUS OR AIRPORT TRAVEL PROCESS. THE INFORMATION OUR VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE INCLUDES A FULL LIST OF THEIR RIGHTS, ICE CHECK-IN INFORMATION, AND COURT DATE DETAILS. THE TRAFFICKING HOTLINE PHONE NUMBER IS ALSO PROVIDED AND FAMILIES ARE WARNED OF THE DANGERS OF TRAFFICKERS ON THEIR JOURNEY.2. BACKPACK MINISTRY:OUR BACKPACK MINISTRY ASSEMBLES BACKPACKS TO DISTRIBUTE TO MIGRANTS AT THE GREYHOUND BUS STATION AND SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BEFORE THEY TRAVEL TO THEIR FAMILY OR SPONSOR. THE BACKPACKS ARE FILLED WITH ESSENTIALS WHICH PROVIDE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL'S BASIC HUMAN NEEDS AND COMFORT DURING THEIR TRAVELS, SUCH AS: TOILETRIES, SNACKS, WATER, A WATER BOTTLE, A SMALL FLEECE BLANKET, COLORING BOOK, CRAYONS, SMALL TOYS, A PEN AND MEMO PAD, AND AN ENGLISH/SPANISH DICTIONARY. DUE TO SECURITY RESTRICTIONS, BACKPACKS DISTRIBUTED AT SAN ANTONIO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT INCLUDE FEWER SUPPLIES.3. ACCOMPANIMENT:VOLUNTEERS ACCOMPANY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO ICE CHECK-IN OR IMMIGRATION COURT APPEARANCES. VOLUNTEERS SIT OR STAND QUIETLY WITH THE ASYLUM SEEKER AND PROVIDE SUPPORT AND THE VISUAL MESSAGE THAT THIS PERSON IS OF VALUE AND HAS U.S. CITIZENS STANDING INSOLIDARITY. 4. TRAVEL BENEVOLENCE:INTERFAITH PROVIDES A BUS OR PLANE TICKET AND FLULDS FOR MEALS TO ASYLUM AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES SO THEY MAY CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY FROM SAN ANTONIO TO THEIR FAMILY OR SPONSOR IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.5. OVERNIGHT HOSPITALITY:THE MIGRANT OVERNIGHT SHELTER (THE "MOS") IS ORGANIZED BY A COLLABORATION OF THE INTERFAITH WELCOME COALITION, TRAVIS PARK CHURCH, CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO TO PROVIDE SHELTER AT TRAVIS PARK CHURCH WHILE FAMILIES ARE AWAITING THEIR FLIGHTOR BUS TO THEIR FINAL DESTINATION WITH THEIR FAMILY OR SPONSOR IN ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTRY. INTERFAITH VOLUNTEERS WELCOME THE FAMILIES AT THE MOS AND PROVIDE A QUIET SPACE WHERE THEY CAN REST BEFORE EMBARKING ON THE FINAL PHASE OF THEIR LONG JOURNEY. WHEN THERE ARE MORE FAMILIES THAN THE MOS CAN ACCOMMODATE VOLUNTEER FAMILIES IN THE OVERNIGHT HOSPITALITY PROGRAM WELCOME GUESTS INTO THEIR HOME WHERE THEY ARE GIVEN A WARM MEAL, COMFORTING SUPPORT AND RESTFUL ACCOMMODATION FOR THE NIGHT.