Register Now: Engage business and civic leaders training October 9th - see story below |
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LEARN TO ENGAGE LOCAL BUSINESS AND CIVIC LEADERS ON OCTOBER 9th ON ZOOM
For the last year and a half our Circles have been working to create relationships with state and federal legislators. Our goals have been to promote drivers licenses for those who are undocumented and to secure a path to citizenship for people trying to build a new life in the U.S. That work continues.
Now it is time to direct our efforts to the local level. We would like our Circles to engage business leaders, local civic leaders, and school boards to work with us to make our communities welcoming to immigrants.
To help our Circles get started, we are offering training on Saturday, October 9th at our Assembly of Circles meeting. By the end of this meeting, you will be ready to engage in this important work. Everyone is welcome--whether or not you currently belong to a Circle of Support.
After we have established these local relationships, we plan to invite our new partners in the community to a public meeting later this year in which a coordinated plan will be developed.
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RECAP: MASS FOR WORLD DAY OF MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES |
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In spite of the torrential rain and wind on the day of the Mass, participants were warmed and inspired by the celebration of World Migrant and Refugee Day on September 26th at Most Holy Trinity in Detroit.
About 200 joined in person and about that same number viewed the Mass on line.
Marisol Sanchez, one of the leaders of the Immigrant Women's Circle of Support, joined SNL Board President Rosemary Insley to welcome everyone.
Padre Beto of Our Lady of Guadalupe talked about the extreme dangers that people face trying to cross the border into the U.S. as well as the constant anguish and uncertainty that results from waiting in the U.S. for the government to process their claims. He also talked about the wealth of abilities and the willingness to work that migrants bring to this country.
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There was an especially touching moment at the Offertory Procession when a pair of tattered and dirty tennis shoes that were worn by a migrant travelling north were presented at the altar. Immigrant women's support circles wanted to offer these sneakers as a symbol of their lived experiences, as well as those of all immigrants who come to this country. The shoes represented their desires for a better life, that is, to make their American dream come true.
Monsignor Kosanke of Most Holy Trinity was the moderator and encouraged giving to keep SNL funded for the next year. Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Choir provided inspiring music.
Nancy Juarez gave a final blessing to the congregation and particularly the Circle Leaders.
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RAPID RESPONSE TEAM HOSTED IMMIGRATION LEGISLATION UPDATE |
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Thirty-five SNL members and supporters gathered virtually on October 2nd to learn the latest on national-level immigration policy, including efforts to add permanent protections for immigrants to the reconciliation package pending in Congress.
Oscar Chacón, Executive Director of Alianza Americas, explained the debate in Congress concerning the inclusion of these protections for immigrants and the parliamentarian opinion on the subject. He also discussed the arrival to the U.S. of thousands of Afghan refugees, and the recent mass deportations of Haitians.
The event was hosted by Strangers No Longer's Rapid Response team. Rapid Response volunteers call or email our Senators and Representatives at designated times to urge them to support particular policies that promote the dignity of immigrants.
If you'd like to join the team or learn more about these Rapid Response efforts, contact Strangers No Longer Director of Advocacy Amy Ketner at: amyketner.snl@gmail.com
or 810-252-2664.
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SNL ASKS: WHAT DO OUR PARISHIONERS THINK ABOUT IMMIGRATION? |
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Throughout the month of September, SNL Circles surveyed their parishes regarding feelings toward immigration. The questions to non-immigrants included:
- In the past 2-3 years, have you met immigrants in your local church, workplace or community?
- Immigrants enrich our economy by performing essential services and paying taxes, do you believe there should be a pathway to citizenship for them?
- Would you like to help your parish Circle of Support make local life more livable for immigrants?
In addition, our immigrant women's Circles interviewed their families, friends, and other immigrants they knew to determine current needs and areas of concern.
We received over 1000 responses from 17 parishes. Stay tuned for the results in a future newsletter after we sift through the responses.
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HEARING ON DRIVE SAFE BILLS CANCELLED ON SEPTEMBER 14 |
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SNL worked along with many other agencies and groups over the last two years to get hearings for the Drive Safe bills in their respective committees in the Michigan House and Senate. Interested partners include the Michigan Catholic Conference, Michigan Farm Bureau, Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan, and ACLU of Michigan.
Finally, we got word that the Michigan House Rules and Competitiveness Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Jim Lilly (R-Park Twp.), was slated to hold a hearing on Drive Safe House Bills 4835 and 4836 on September 14th.
But at noon that day, although interested parties were gathered and ready to speak, the hearing was cancelled.
To date, the hearing in the House has not been rescheduled.
Kim Pulka, an SNL intern, spent the summer working for the Drive Safe bills for us. She had this to say about the cancellation: "While it was hugely disappointing to see the last minute cancellation of the Drive SAFE bills hearing, I was encouraged to hear the scheduled speakers give their statements of support on Drive Michigan Forward's Facebook livestream instead of acquiesce to being silenced. Even though the way forward is unclear, our mission is the same - continue to raise awareness and convince people to tell their legislators to stand behind these bills."
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FUNDRAISER FOR CASA SAMARITANO RAISES MONEY AND SPIRITS |
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On September 26th the Circle of Support at Our Mother of Perpetual Help parish (Oak Park/Ferndale) conducted their second annual fundraiser for the Casa Samaritano shelter in Hidalgo, Mexico. Circle member Joe Olesnavage, again rode an eye-popping number of kilometers--300 in 3 days! But this time his fellow Circle members got into the act. They walked or rode their bikes for a collective 106 kilometers in support!
The Circle members report that, not only did they raise over $4000 for the shelter, they also had the opportunity to connect with each other in person on a beautiful fall day- -and the donuts and cider didn't hurt either!
For more information about Casa Samaritano or to help support this important work, please contact Circle chairperson Rosemary Insley at rinsley@aol.com.
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CITY OF ALMA VOTES TO APPROVE SHELTER FOR YOUNG MIGRANTS |
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After months of heated debate, the Alma City Commission approved a rezoning request that paves the way for the development of a shelter for young migrants from Central America.
The Alma City Commissioners voted 4-2 in favor of approving a rezoning request that will allow Bethany Christian Services to operate the shelter at the former Warwick Living Center.
The vote on Tuesday clears the way for Bethany Christian Services to open the shelter.
Click here to read a letter issued the day before the vote from Bishop Robert Gruss of Saginaw in support of the asylum for migrant children in Alma.
The following is a quote from Ed Lorenz who was one of the organizers pushing the effort to get the asylum housing approved:
We need to thank everyone, who helped by actions, prayers, and in many other ways. This Sunday's Gospel in the liturgical churches concludes with Mark's lines
"Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." (Mark 9:36-37)
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LEARN SPANISH FROM A NATIVE SPANISH SPEAKER |
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The Circle of Support at Gesu has a parishioner and asylum seeker who has founded a school to teach Spanish. The school offers classes for children and adults. They offer a variety of services including classes for medical professionals to help them converse with their patients, Spanish for business, Spanish for travelers, as well as children’s courses.
The classes are all taught by native Spanish speakers. Currently all the classes are taught online.
Carmen Luna, owner
Luna Spanish Center
323-915-8357
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SNL has received 501c3 status--Contributions to SNL since July 24, 2020 are now tax deductible. |
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Please donate whatever you can to support the work of Strangers No Longer. Now, more than ever, our help is needed. |
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19972 Shrewsbury
Detroit, MI 48221
313-549-0421
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