Border Angels Weekly Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This Dia de Muertos we honor our first Water Drop Director, Jonathan Daniel Yost. Jonathan took the organization's small, private Water Drops public in January 2016.
An intense leader operated with dilligence, balancing respect of the land, those who perished in the desert, and all those to move through in the future. He felt the responsibility of what we do in the desert deeply. His leadership and work ethic was inspiring and infectious. One thing he will be most remembered for was that he encouraged everyone to do more, and especially learn more.
His legacy is with us, and just like Jonathan gave his all, we will continue to give our all, until we no longer need to do this type of work anymore.
Jonathan’s memory and legacy remains in the desert, and with all of those who were fortunate to know him.
Jonathan Daniel Yost, PRESENTE!
|
|
|
We not only remember all of our loved ones who have passed, but we celebrate the lives and legacies which carry on in every single on of us. Today, we are wrapped in the love and memories they have left inside of all of us.
We also use this holiday to honor and remember those who lost their lives in search of a better one. Those who have perished crossing the desert, the true amount which we will never know but over 260 confirmed by the government in 2018. The over 40 migrants who have died in ICE custody in the last four years including in for profit detention prisons. We remember friends, family and community members, as they all live in our hearts today and always.
Today we rest, celebrate, enjoy and welcome a visit from those who are no longer with us, and tomorrow we continue our fight!
Feliz Dia De Muertos!
|
|
|
|
Take a tour of the Sherman Heights Community Center Altares and Ofrendas for Dia de Los Muertos, followed by a short memorial to those who have perished due to policies like Operation Gatekeeper and Migrant Protection Protocols. Finally, a reading of some short “calaveritas” dedicated to migrants!
|
|
|
We have to work hard in the desert to make sure the supplies get where they are most needed (and safe from damage). Climbing mountainsides, scrambling around boulders. Fresh traces of travel helps us adjust as needed to where we leave our supplies.
The weather is starting to cool down a touch. We are now hiking inn under 100° out there, which may seem extreme still, but we have seen temperatures reach just about 130° this past summer. Sometimes things change seasonally in the desert, so we are committed to keep going out weekly to adapt and adjust.
Thank you to everyone who has continued to show up on a regular basis. Thank you everyone for reaching out about volunteering, your support and understanding during the pandemic. As soon as it’s safe for us to start taking larger groups, we will. Please stay tuned to our social media accounts and our weekly newsletter.
In the meanwhile, donations of water gallons (non milk jug style), pop-top canned food, socks, beanies, gloves, flannel shirts are appreciated, along with sharing our social media posts. Thank you!
For any questions about Water Drops or our Water Drops during Covid, reach out to Water Drop Program Co-Director James Cordero, [email protected]. Thank you for your continued support!
|
|
Familias Reunidas
Bond Program
|
|
|
We were able to free one more person from detention through our Familias Reunidas Program. Meet Dalian, a 39 year old Cuban asylum seeker who has been in Otay Mesa Detention Center for 3 months. We are so glad he will now be able to start his new life in Florida and no longer be in a detention center with confirmed COVID cases.
We share this story to remind you of the many things at stake in today’s election. It is important to pick representation that cares and values human rights and lives. We need representation to ensure we save asylum for people like Dalian, and to remove policies like Migrant Protection Protocols. We need to exercise our right to vote on behalf of so many that not only don’t have the right to vote, but their place in this country is directly affected by those decisions! Help us fight for our migrant hermanos!
We need your help to get more migrants like Dalian out of immigration prisons. The support and donations we have received in the last few months have helped over 50 migrants. But we are running low are tapping in to the last of our funds and we need your support to continue helping mothers, fathers, and loved ones who are still detained. All donations make a difference no matter the amount, and every dollar is spent towards getting someone out of detention! Help us #freethemall!
|
|
Taking a break from the election race to share a bit a good news with all of you. We were able to purchase our friends at Pro Amore Dei shelter a new fridge for their groceries.
Refrigerators are so important in shelter settings, because food can be stored and preserved to feed more individuals without going to waste. We are so grateful to your unwavering support which enabled us to make this purchase, especially because this is the shelter that houses the two newborn baby girls 
With your help, we continue to assist our migrant friends in Tijuana. Thank you for your donations directly feeding families and saving lives.
|
|
|
|
THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING YOUR PART AND VOTING!
THANK YOU FOR GETTING THE WORD OUT TO GO VOTE!
THIS MESSAGE REPRESENTS THE WORK THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO WORKING TOWARDS CHANGE!
NOVEMBER 2, 2020
A pre-election night message from our friends at shelter Templo Embajadores de Jesús: “For my little ones this is a game, without knowing that this will be real for some of them, wearing shorts of the United States flag put in a cage I found one of my children, simulating how they would put them in the ICE when they arrived at the United States. We repudiate the measures that the administration of President Donald Trump has implemented separating families and sending children to these cages. You have the power to change this !!!”
We’re all exhausted, but even more so committed to working towards justice-centered policies that prioritize the needs of our siblings migrating. We need #change and there is a lot more work ahead of us. 
|
|
Dropping by to remind you to take care of yourself, these are stressful an anxious times for all of us with these elections. So we at Border Angels want to remind you to:
•Take a break! Relax and do something you enjoy
•Practice some breathing exercises
•Eat your favorite snack/food
•Check in on you friends
•And allow yourself the space to recharge.
It is important to practice self-care in whatever way works for you, because once you’re a good, then you can do good!
Hang in there!
|
|
|
|
Carve out space in your garage and donate your car to Border Angels!
You could even qualify for a sweet tax deduction. Our Vehicle Donation Program will work for the best price, so you can get rid of it and we can do GOOD with it!
The tow is free and the process is easy! Donate through the link in bio or call (855) 500-7433. Our Vehicle Donor Support Team is available seven days a week.
|
|
|
With our new Green Cards for Kids program, we are so lucky to be able to work with immigration attorney Fabiola Navarro who will be representing these children.
It is crucial that we help these children as they have already suffered enough abuse, neglect and/or abandonment.
With your continued support, we can help pay for the legal representation these children deserve in this critical time of their lives.
Please consider donating! No amount is too small!
|
|
|
You can donate to Border Angels when you shop on Amazon.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible items to Border Angels!
**
Tienes la oportunidad de donar a Border Angels cuando compras en Amazon.
Amazon nos donará el 0.5% del precio de compra de artículos elegibles!
|
|
|
|
Despite the growing challenges of this pandemic, Border Angels remains determined to protect and support the community we have pledged to serve. Even though we are currently unable to accept physical donations, we are always accepting monetary donations to support:
1. Our Shelter Aid Program❤️: Especially now that we are unable to receive these items, we need your help to provide funds for groceries, hygiene products, utility bills, rent, clothes, etc.!
2. Familias Reunidas Bond Program👨👩👧: Given the severity of this outbreak, we NEED to get as many people out of the Otay Mesa Detention Center as we can. With your help we can post bond for more individuals! (Link in highlights under Bond Program)
3. Water Drop Program💧: Even after having to postpone public water drops, our team is still constantly in the desert scouting and dropping the supplies necessary for survival. Their work never stops because the need never stops.
Thank you for your continued support.🖤🦋
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
