Midlothian Friends are hosting at their meetinghouse an orientation session with the DC Detention Visitation Network (DCDVN)on Saturday, June 29 from 2:00 to 4:00. Other Quakers from Charlottesville Friends Meeting and Richmond Friends Meetingare also invited. The Midlothian Friends Meetinghouse is located at 900 Preservation Rd, Midlothian, VA 23113.

DCDVN offers friendship and support to immigrants held in detention by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Maryland and now, after several years’ effort, in Farmville Virginia. The orientation on June 29th will focus on DCDVN’s program for social visits to detainees, many of whom are held for months with no visits from family or friends. Many family members live far from Farmville and can’t afford the time away from work or the cost of a visit.  Others are undocumented themselves and afraid to visit an ICE facility.  Some detainees are simply estranged from their families.  Visits from community members can give them a “break,” boost their morale, and help refocus their emotions on positive relationships while in detention.

Jim Bell of Baltimore Yearly Meeting’s Peace and Social Concerns Committee, and a two-year DCDVN volunteer in Maryland will lead the orientation.  The session will be informal and cover many aspects of how to visit detainees: what to do, what not to do, proper attire, conversation starters, etc. All questions will be welcome.  

You don’t have to be fluent in Spanish to visit a detainee!  

We invite you to join with Friends and other like-minded people.  For more information, visit the DCDVN website (https://dcdetentionvisitation.org/visitation-program).  Jim suggests that you complete the short volunteer form before you come to orientation. If you have questions, contact Lucretia Farago of Midlothian Friends at 804-658-9021 or lsfarago@gmail.com.