As part of our UU Social Justice work we have chosen to support the migrant shelter, Tierra del Oro, in Palomas, Mexico, less than 2 hours south of Silver City. What started as a small shelter for asylum seekers waiting to head north, has become a transit stop that ICE and the Border Patrol use to expel 100+ detainees every night. These guests at the shelter may only stay 2-3 days but most are in dire need of food, sleep and first aid before they decide where to go next. At our UU building we have a weekly collection of supplies for the shelter every Wednesday afternoon. These supplies are transported to Deming, NM and then sent across the border by officially sanctioned individuals. You can read below the last three weekly posts with updated information on the shelter as well as the current needs for the migrants. If you would like to personally receive these posts, or volunteer to help with the collections or driving to Deming, contact Barbara Gabioud at bgabioud@gmail.com.

 Additional note to our UU listserv: If you would like to help us on a collection Wednesday or be a driver to Deming, please let me know.  The generosity of our community will warm your heart. 

Note:  Driven by the hope for a better future, many migrants who are being expelled from the US will continue to try to re-enter, regardless of the dangers and hardships they face.

 11/22/2020

With no collection this Wednesday, I can use this opportunity to say an extra thank you to each of you! The response from our local community and from supporters all over the country (and beyond) has made us quite humble. The goodness and generosity in each of you is something I know I will never forget. Those of you who donate, shop, load, drive and cheer us all on.

We have been supported by so many groups too; including but not limited to Libros Para El Viaje, the Newman Center, all the local thrift shops, Imagination Library, Gila Valley Mobile Food Pantry, the Farmers Market mask makers, local physicians, Future Forge, Gila Friends Meeting, KURU, Colores United and Pepper’s Supermarket in Deming. And everyone I have inadvertently omitted from this list!

You have made a huge difference in the lives of so many. Asylum seekers and migrants alike who are looking for better lives for themselves and their families, free from fear and despair. The picture below is from the birthday party we helped sponsor yesterday at the shelter for a young Cuban boy turning three. Birthdays for children should always sparkle and we hope his did. ¡Feliz Cumpleaños!

Now of course if you would like to take advantage of Black Friday, there are things we will be looking to collect December 2nd. PANTS and SHOES for men and women in small and medium sizes, GLOVES, TOWELS, SHAMPOO, BODY LOTION, HAND SOAP, MASKS and SHOELACES.

And here’s a totally new idea...we have been collecting for over 5 months and for the first time this last week, not one, but 3 different people donated PESOS left over from trips to Mexico, realizing it will probably be a long while til they’re able to travel again. So if you have some tucked in your passport or in a drawer, we know how to put them to very good use!

If you would like to read the past 3 weeks posts they are available on our UU website uufsc.com. It might give you ideas of other needed supplies. Click on the Palomas 2020 link on the left side of the page. To contribute financially you may mail checks made out to UUFSC (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City) with Border in the memo line to UUFSC, PO Box 4034, Silver City, NM 88062.

Happy Thanksgiving and may you stay close to home and healthy. ~Barbara

 11/15/2020

I’m starting out with two important announcements. First of all, YES, even with the NM governor’s orders to shelter-in-place, we will be doing our collection this Wednesday, November 18th for the migrant shelter in Palomas, Mexico. But see below for a few extra instructions to keep everyone safe. Our deliveries of food, medical supplies, clothing etc. are essential needs right now. Secondly, next Wednesday, November 25th, there will be NO COLLECTION. Too complicated on Thanksgiving Eve.

There are quite a few children in the Palomas shelter. We have had enough donations of books and stuffed animals so that kids can choose their favorites to take with them on their journey!

Especially because of COVID, meds are needed: TYLENOL, ASPIRIN and BENADRYL. CUP OF NOODLES are running low. Other necessary supplies include TOILET PAPER, DISPOSABLE GLOVES (Med & Large), LAUNDRY DETERGENT, DISH SOAP, MASKS, CLOROX, HAND SANITIZER and BLANKETS.

We have some NEW REQUESTS FOR CLOTHING. WOMEN’S PANTS: S,M and L; MEN’S JEANS: 32x32, 34x32, and 36x32; and CHILDREN’S WARM CLOTHING:sizes, 3,4,6,8 and 10. SNEAKERS/HIKING SHOES FOR WOMEN AND MEN sizes 6-7-8-9.

Ongoing clothing needs are NEW men’s and women’s UNDERWEAR in S, M, & L, SPORTS BRAS S, M & L, CLEAN JACKETS (small and medium sizes), SOCKS, HATS, SCARVES, GLOVES, BELTS and neutral colored 40-45” SHOELACES (not bright or neon colors that could be seen at night or target them for the cartels). NO OTHER CLOTHES ARE NEEDED AT THIS TIME. Details for drop off are below.

If you have contributed financially your money this last week is paying to insulate the shelter as well as the food and supplies bought locally in Grant County, Deming and Palomas. We have several volunteers in Silver City buying needed clothing at all the thrift shops in the area.

Bring your donations on Wednesdays, 3:00-3:30, to the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You will be directed to drive straight down on either side of our delivery vehicles. HAVE YOUR DONATIONS POSITIONED IN YOUR VEHICLE SUCH THAT OUR VOLUNTEERS CAN REACH THEM WITHOUT YOU GETTING OUT. We will get you unloaded and then you can drive out easily. PLEASE WEAR A MASK.

To contribute financially you may mail checks made out to UUFSC (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City) with Border in the memo line to UUFSC, PO Box 4034, Silver City, NM 88062. Thanks ~Barbara

 11/8/2020

I tried sending the email to our listserv, including a short video. I couldn’t do that for a Google Group. Let me know if you would like the video and I will send it to you personally. ~Barbara

I think we are all relieved about the election. It’s over!! And hopefully there will be positive changes in immigration policy which is the Social Justice issue that binds us together as a community. Joe Biden has pledged to stop construction of the border wall, find a way to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented, make the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) permanent, reunite 545 separated migrant children with their families, put a freeze on deportations AND to end MPP, also known as Remain in Mexico during his first 100 days in office. The MPP policy put into effect during the current administration is why we have the huge, overcrowded shelters just south of the border, including Palomas. He has also pledged to halt the Muslim ban on day one! Our immigration system has been broken for decades and it will take more than 100 days to “fix” it. None of us should lose sight of this desperate human rights need. It will benefit not only immigrants, but all of our lives, to enrich this country with a diverse infusion of energy and culture.

 Be sure to watch the entire video at the end of this post. You will see small children dancing in Juarez at the news of the US election results. It is their lives that stand in the balance.

Especially because of COVID, meds are needed: TYLENOL, ASPIRIN and BENADRYL all in 500 mg. CUP OF NOODLES are running low. Other necessary supplies include TOILET PAPER, DISPOSABLE GLOVES (Med & Large), LAUNDRY DETERGENT, DISH SOAP, MASKS, CLOROX, HAND SANITIZER and BLANKETS.

Ongoing clothing needs are NEW men’s and women’s UNDERWEAR in small and medium sizes, sports bras, CLEAN JACKETS (small and medium sizes), SOCKS, HATS, GLOVES, BELTS and neutral colored 40-45” SHOELACES (not bright or neon colors that could be seen at night or target them for the cartels). NO OTHER CLOTHES ARE NEEDED AT THIS TIME. Details for drop off are below.

If you have contributed financially your money this last week is paying to finish the work on the handicapped accessible room as well as the food and supplies bought locally in Deming and Palomas. We have several volunteers in Silver City buying warm jackets at all the thrift shops in the area.

Bring your donations on Wednesdays, 3:00-3:30, to the UUFSC building, 3845 N Swan (not our mailing address) in Silver City. You will be directed to drive straight down on either side of our delivery vehicles. We will help you unload and then you can drive out easily. If you need to speak with anyone, look for one of us with our UU name tags on. The WE BELIEVE signs will be available also. Please wear a mask. And if the election turns out the way most of us are hoping , no high fives without gloves!!!

 If you would like to read the past 3 weeks posts they are available on our UU website uufsc.com. It might give you ideas of other needed supplies. Click on the Palomas 2020 link on the left side of the page. To contribute financially you may mail checks made out to UUFSC (Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Silver City) with Border in the memo line to UUFSC, PO Box 4034, Silver City, NM 88062. Thanks ~Barbara

 https://www.borderreport.com/hot-topics/immigration/border-towns-struggle-with-the-thousands-of-migrants-immediately-deported-under-cdc-order/