February 3, 2018
with Auda Gonzalez, Javier Luengo-Garrido, Bill Newman, Sister Rosa Torres
Activities and resources described by the panelists are listed at end of page.
View the video:
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Speakers, in the order they spoke:
Bill Newman, American Civil Liberties Union of Western Massachusetts
Javier Luengo-Garrido, Immigrant Protection Project
Auda Gonzalez, an immigrant from Guatemala who shared her experiences
Sister Rosa Torres, Our Lady of Peace Church
Andrea Schmidt, Pioneer Valley Workers Center
Taryn Amina, Center for New Americans
Projects we heard about, in alphabetical order
American Civil Liberties Union of Western MA
https://aclum.org/
Bill Newman, Director – newman@Inn-law.com
413 586-9115
The western MA office of the ACLU is part of the ACLU of Massachusetts, which is a chapter of the national organization. The ACLU defends the principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution. The local office addresses issues including immigrants’ rights, voters’ rights, and freedom of expression and, in 2016, founded the Immigrant Protection Project of Western MA (see below).
Center for New Americans
https://cnam.org/about
The Center for New Americans offers underserved immigrants and refugees English lessons, citizenship and immigration services, and other support services.
Volunteer opportunity: CNAM is seeking volunteers to help tutor English learners.
They also coordinate the Franklin County Farmworker Community Rideshare – see below.
Greenfield office: 90 Federal Street, 413-772-0055
Turners Falls office: 177 Avenue A, 413- 676-3949
Amherst office: 70 Boltwood Walk, 413-259-3288
Northampton office: 42 Gothic Street, 413-587-0084
Franklin County Farmworker Community RideShare
Volunteer opportunity: Many in the immigrant community don’t own cars; others have cars but are reluctant to drive due to increasing stops and arrests. Community Rideshare volunteers are contacted to provide rides to work, appointments, etc . To learn more, email fcridesvolunteer@protonmail.com
Franklin County People’s Fund
Support opportunity: According to one of our speakers, donating to the Franklin County People’s Fund, administered by the Community Action Family Center, is the best way to support area immigrants. The fund provides financial assistance for immigrants in crisis, including families whose wage-earner is detained by ICE, and other needs. Donors can sign up to be notified by email when there is a need.
To mail a donation: Write check to CA Franklin County People’s Fund, send to Marianne Bullock, Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St, Greenfield MA 01301.
Donate using Venmo to People’s Fund. (Venmo is a smart phone and computer app, https://venmo.com .)
Immigrant Protection Project, a project of the ACLU of Western MA
Project Coordinator: Javier Luengo-Garrido
www.ippwma.com
jluengo@aclum.org
413 727-8514
The IPP serves immigrants in Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire Counties with referrals for legal assistance and connections to other services. Because of their work with the Franklin County House of Correction, immigration detainees there are able to call IPP for help.
- Call Center/Hotline: 413-727-8515, bilingual responders 3 – 7 p.m. Regional attorneys and organizations provide immigrants with referrals for legal assistance
- Legal referrals for immigration status adjustment, passport concerns, and more
- Social service referrals for education, health, and family and youth services
- Connects with groups addressing immigrant rights, workplace concerns, and community and faith-based support.
Latino Ministry at Our Lady of Peace, Turners Falls
www.ourladyofpeace.weconnect.com/Latino-Ministry
413 459-7052
Sister Rosa Amalia Torres Armendariz, originally from Mexico, works for Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls, assisting area Latino families. Sister Rosa belongs to the order Missionaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Aid.
Pioneer Valley Workers Center
pvworkerscenter.org
20 Hampton Ave, Suite 200, Northampton MA 01060
413-570-3060
The PVWC builds power with low-wage and immigrant workers throughout Western Massachusetts. Their projects include the rapid response network Sanctuary In The Streets, a hotline for immigration crises, and a solidarity rideshare, all of which are listed below. The goals of PVWC’s mutual aid projects are to create resourceful ways for people to better meet their basic needs, as well as to help build the trust and solidarity needed to confront injustice.
SAFE COMMUNITIES ACT
See updates at www.progressivemass.com/sca-takeaction-domore
Sanctuary in the Streets, a project of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center
pvworkerscenter.org/sanctuary-in-the-streets
20 Hampton Ave, Ste. 200, Northampton MA
413-570-3060
Rapid response team for immigration crises. Monthly meetings in Northampton on the first Monday evening.
Volunteer opportunity: 413-923-6400; text to become a rapid response team member.
Sanctuary In The Streets Hotline, a project of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center
https://pvworkerscenter.org/get-involved/
pvwchotline@gmail.com
20 Hampton Ave, Ste. 200, Northampton MA
413-570-3060
Volunteer opportunity: Bilingual responders needed – Sign up to be part of the team that workers and immigrants can call on when they need the community to show up. To become a phone answerer, please sign up for one of our upcoming trainings! The next training:
Sunday, March 4, 11:00-3 pm at PVWC office
Practice session only: 2-3 pm
Register & more info online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U0KBAJ-d233D0U-_obgADVW_88z19uKozEHjwospkrs/viewform?edit_requested=true
Sanctuary In The Streets Solidarity Rideshare, a project of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center
https://pvworkerscenter.org/get-involved/
20 Hampton Ave, Ste. 200, Northampton MA
413-570-3060
Volunteer opportunity: Provide rides to work, appointments, etc. You must attend an orientation before becoming a rideshare volunteer.