1. Transportation needs have increased significantly. In addition to transporting to Northern VA for ICE court hearings, transportation to Midlothian ICE office is needed biweekly for people recently out of detention who wear ankle bracelets. If anyone is interested/able to join the Transportation Circle (of Central VA Sanctuary Network), please contact Sally Gudas at seatide1@gmail.com, and see below for additional information.
2. Being present in a supportive, visible way in the Latinex community is an important part of offering solidarity and assistance. Likewise, speaking Spanish is important in making all the other assistance “user friendly” Sacred Heart Center, among their many excellent services, offers Spanish classes for English speakers. By taking classes at the Center we can both learn Spanish and be present in the community
3. The Thrifty Quaker, a thrifty store run by Midlothian Friends, designated Central VA Sanctuary Network as recipient of their proceeds during the month of May: $4095.55 This took the Sanctuary Fund from $0 to enough money to pay for legal fees, lawyers’ fees, etc. We are really glad that Central Virginia Sanctuary Network’s time and work in building relationships, establishing trust and a finding a good referral pathway, has resulted our being able to help the community more. This translates into significant increase in requests for transportations. Over the last month or two, we have had many requests to transport people to their local bi-weekly ICE check-ins in Midlothian, to lawyer appointment, in addition to the usual transportation to court hearings in Northern VA. If you would like to join this effort, please email Sally Gudas, chair of the Transportation Circle.
TRANSPORTATION TRAINING
What: Training for Volunteers wishing to help with Transportation to legal appointments of Undocumented
Immigrants
When: Training to be held Sunday, July 1st, at 12:30 PM
Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond, 1000 Blanton Avenue.
Sally Gudas, Transportation Circle Chair for the Central Virginia Sanctuary Network is facilitating the workshop. Spanish speakers are greatly needed, but we need non-Spanish-speakers as well. Several Friends from our Meeting have been involved in this work and have found it rewarding and helpful to the immigrant clients. Please email or call Sally if you plan to attend: seatide1@gmail.com, (804)399-8342.