El Refugio Ministry

El Refugio attended 713 calls from people detained, providing resources, information, and connections to those detained at stewart detention center (sdc). We purchased 43 flight tickets for those released from sdc. We made 396 commissary deposits to people detained ($20 average deposit). We sent a total of 613 books to people detained. Fifteen families impacted by detention and deportation received financial support to help pay bills, food, and transportation. Our programs offer $250 - $1500 in financial support to those who qualify for our program. In collaboration with koinonia farm, we fulfilled 191 requests for clothing from people being deported. The bags typically include 1-2 change of clothing, a pair of shoes, and a backpack) we hosted a total of 17 families and friends overnight at our hospitality house while they visited their loved ones at the detention center. We conducted a total of 29 visits with people detained at sdc. Through these visits, we offer connection and friendship to those detained. We sent a total of 82 self-advocacy packages to people detained. These packages include pro se materials and information on how to file complaints when people detained experience abuse and neglect. A total of 16 individuals we supported with various advocacy support were released from sdc. We paired a total of 42 immigrants detained with a pen-pal.