Interfaith Community For Detained Immigrants

RESPONDS ACTIVELY AND PUBLICLY TO THE SUFFERING OF ALL INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY IMMIGRATION DETENTION,DEPORTATION, AND POST-DETENTION THROUGH PASTORAL CARE, ADVOCACY, PUBLIC WITNESS AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

DEPORTATION ACCOMPANIMENT - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES PRAYER VIGIL AT BROADVIEW, PRAYER ON THE BUSES AND PASTORAL CARE TO SUPPORT DEPORTATION VICTIMS. 1 PRAYER VIGIL AT BROADVIEW - COMPRISES OF PEOPLE OF FAITH JOINING TOGETHER IN A PRAYER VIGIL EVERY FRIDAY MORNING AT 7:15 AM, AT BROADVIEW IMMIGRATION PROCESSING CENTER, TO PROVIDE PUBLIC WITNESS TO THE INJUSTICES OF THE U.S. IMMIGRATION SYSTEM. AN INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE IS HELD ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. THE ROSARY IS PRAYED ON THE REMAINING FRIDAYS. 2 PRAYER ON THE BUSES - EACH FRIDAY MORNING, BUSES FILLED WITH MEN AND WOMEN SHACKLED BY THEIR HANDS, FEET, AND WAISTS LEAVE FOR LOCAL AIRPORTS TO BE DEPORTED. CLERGY, LAY LEADERS AND PEOPLE OF FAITH OFFER PRAYERS ON THE BUSES TO ACCOMPANY THEM IN THEIR DIFFICULT JOURNEY AND TO LET THEM KNOW THAT PEOPLE OF FAITH STAND WITH THEM AND ARE WORKING TO CHANGE THESE UNJUST POLICIES. 3 PASTORAL CARE - VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT FAMILIES AS THEY COME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THEIR LOVED ONES.COURT WATCH - STUDENTS, RELIGIOUS LEADERS, AND PEOPLE OF FAITH SERVE AS A PRESENCE IN THE IMMIGRATION COURT TO LET THOSE INVOLVED IN THE COURT SYSTEM KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING AND CARE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO THEIR IMMIGRANT SISTERS AND BROTHERS. IT IS THE ORGANIZATIONS GOAL THAT THROUGH MONITORING AND DOCUMENTING THE ORGANIZATION CAN BRING TRANSPARENCY TO THIS BROKEN SYSTEM AND SUPPORT THE URGENT NEED FOR MORE JUST IMMIGRATION POLICIES. COURT WATCH IS ALSO A MINISTRY OF PRESENCE. PEOPLE IN DETENTION ARE NOT PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN COURT. THEY HEAR THE PROCEEDING AND COMMUNICATE WITH THE JUDGE VIA VIDEO CAMERA. THEY ARE COMFORTED KNOWING THAT THERE ARE COURT WATCH VOLUNTEERS PRESENT. COURT WATCH VOLUNTEERS ARE PRESENT AT HEARINGS MORNING AND AFTERNOON, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.JAIL VISITATION MINISTRY - SINCE ILLINOIS ACCESS TO RELIGIOUS MINISTRY ACT BECAME LAW IN 2008, VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDING PASTORAL CARE TO PEOPLE IN DETENTION. TEAMS OF VOLUNTEERS VISIT PEOPLE WEEKLY IN IMMIGRANT DETENTION AT FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. ANNUALLY THE ORGANIZATIONS VOLUNTEERS VISIT OVER 1,200 DETAINED IMMIGRANTS. WEEKLY THE ORGANIZATION PLACES $10 INTO COMMISSARY ACCOUNTS OF INDIVIDUALS AS THEIR ACCOUNTS BECOME DEPLETED. PEOPLE IN DETENTION USE THIS MONEY FOR BASIC DAILY NEEDS. THE COST OF THIS PROGRAM FOR BOTH JAILS CAN BE OVER $1,000 A WEEK. VISITS OCCUR DURING DAYTIME HOURS ON SPECIFIC DAYS IN MCHENRY COUNTY JAIL, KENOSHA COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, DODGE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, AND JEROME COMBS DETENTION CENTER IN KANKAKEE.POST-DETENTION - THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS A HOTLINE AND HOSPITALITY SERVICES FOR INDIVIDUALS RELEASED FROM DETENTION. 1 HOTLINE - FOR PEOPLE RELEASED FROM ICE CUSTODY, THE ORGANIZATION HAS A HOTLINE THEY CAN CALL FOR ASSISTANCE. VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TO HOTLINE CALLS AND PROVIDE WEATHER APPROPRIATE CLOTHING AND SHOES, MEALS, SHORT-TERM STAYS, BUS TICKETS, A BACKPACK WITH ESSENTIAL ITEMS, AND OTHER NEEDS. THE ORGANIZATION HELPS PEOPLE GET BACK TO FAMILY OR FRIENDS WHO ARE OFTEN IN OTHER STATES. 2 HOSPITALITY - FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOWHERE TO LIVE UPON RELEASE, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TRANSITIONAL SHELTER WHILE THEY WAIT FOR FUTURE COURT DATES OR WORK PERMITS. THE MARIE JOSEPH HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY PROVIDES FOOD AND SHELTER FOR MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. A CASE MANAGER CONNECTS PEOPLE TO EDUCATIONAL, ESL, RELIGIOUS, HEALTH, AND LEGAL SERVICES. LIVING IN A SUPPORTIVE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT HELPS PEOPLE HEAL AND ADJUST TO LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE MODEL IS WHAT THE ORGANIZATION BELIEVES PEOPLE ENTERING THE U.S. AND SEEKING ASYLUM SHOULD RECEIVE.UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN - THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDE PASTORAL CARE TO MIGRANT CHILDREN FROM AROUND THE WORLD. THE ORGANIZATION ACCOMPANIES CHILDREN WHO ARE DIVERSE IN ALMOST EVERY WAY IMAGINABLE, REPRESENTING DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, LANGUAGE GROUPS, RELIGIONS, SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, AND AGES. THE ORGANIZATION FACILITATES A CONNECTION WITH THE SACRED DURING A VERY CRITICAL PERIOD IN THEIR LIFE JOURNEYS.