Here Are Ways You Can Help the Students Affected by Mass Shootings, ICE Raids
The 2019 UnidosUS Annual Conference in San Diego from August 3 to 6 was marked with celebrations of Latino achievements, analysis of the challenges still ahead, and the grief and fear of learning of that 31 people died and dozens more were injured in mass shootings that same weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. Law enforcement in both incidents said the gunmen had expressed violent ideologies. In fact, authorities believe the suspect they took into custody at the crime scene in El Paso was the author of an anti-immigrant, anti-Hispanic manifesto online just minutes the shooting.
“That’s the environment our kids are living in now,” lamented New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza during a Conference workshop on closing the K-12 achievement gap for students of color. He said a colleague had spent the night in a daycare in El Paso comforting children whose parents hadn’t shown up to get them. “Were parents among the victims or are they so scared to pick them up?” He asked.
Then on August 7, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents launched a massive raid across Mississippi arresting some 680 undocumented immigrants, a record high for one sweep. The following day, Buzzfeed News reported that 200 mostly Latino schoolchildren in that state did not show up for class.
To help families deal with the trauma of crises like these, UnidosUS has been compiling packets of informational resources. For example, it now has a back-to-school know-your-rights website, which will be continually updated in the weeks and months to come.
And this week, the UnidosUS Affiliate Engagement team published the below list of organizations offering help and taking donations the victims of the El Paso shooting. Please keep visiting ProgressReport.cofor more updates on how to seek help for these crises or give it.
The violence in El Paso is not about immigration policy. It is about promoting hate, fear, and division sown by @realdonaldtrump. He has systematically sought to paint a hateful portrait of Hispanics that dehumanizes us to the broader public. Read my OpEd https://t.co/uGbqI2k2r7
— Janet Murguía (@JMurguia_Unidos) August 6, 2019
- YWCA El Paso del Norte Region is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. Their strength in leading racial healing conversations has been brought to the table to help this city through the recovery process. You can support YWCA El Paso del Norte Region here.
- Project Bravo is committed to putting an end to poverty by mobilizing resources and promoting self-sufficiency as they strive to achieve a better tomorrow for their community. The organization jumped into action as soon as the attack happened, helping victims and their families. Project Bravo is helping families access hardship exemptions or victim services funds for those who may need to pay for funeral or hospital bills, and more. You can support Project Bravo here.
- Project Vida provides integrated care to areas with the most need in the El Paso area. They are now working primarily through the school district to provide mental health support for families directly affected by the shooting, but also for those who may experience trauma even if their family wasn’t directly impacted. You can support Project Vida here.
- Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe is a recognized health-care and social-justice nonprofit serving the US-Mexico Border since 1967. Their mission is “to improve the quality of life of those we serve by continuously enhancing the health and human services provided.” Support La Fe here.
We are proud of our Affiliate Network and the strength they are giving the El Paso community through their tireless and powerful work.
