Immigrant Welcoming Team Update

Dear Congregation,

I was a stranger and you welcomed me. Matthew 25:35

Our team would like to update you on the ongoing and urgent needs for immigrant housing and accompaniment. The St. Paul Interfaith Coalition and the City of St. Paul Immigrant and Refugee Affairs Program have been in contact with us as well as other faith-based support organizations (Jonathan House and Arrive Ministries).  

Here are requests from the Assistant St. Paul City Attorney, as emailed to the Interfaith Coalition:

“Specifically, I am assisting a couple that recently arrived from Colombia that is expecting their first child. They are asylum seekers, and I am assisting them to find legal representation. They are currently living in temporary shelter through Ramsey County, but that program is going to end on March 31. Therefore, I am seeking the Coalition’s assistance to help this couple find more permanent housing as well as assistance with resources until such time as the couple can obtain employment authorization.

Second, I am assisting a single male from Peru who recently arrived in Saint Paul. He is also an asylum seeker who will need legal representation and permanent housing. He is currently living in a shelter here in the City.” 

We are seeking anyone interested in learning more about what we can do as a congregation and as individuals to help support and accompany our new neighbors. Perhaps you have an empty bedroom to share–either for short-term or longer-term housing. Our team can help you learn about opportunities to house a visitor. 

Finally, we would like you to know that we have changed our name to the Immigrant Welcoming Team to reflect our sense now that our primary purpose is to accompany immigrants who arrive in Minnesota under a wide variety of circumstances.

Please reach out to Paula Mackey, Janeen McAllister, or Don Christensen for more information.