Author: Nadia Tavera

Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity’s Nueva Esperanza Accompaniment Team (NEAT) program trains San Francisco Bay Area congregations to form a team to walk alongside recently arrived immigrants for six months. The teams support the immigrants’ self-sufficiency by introducing them to local resources. By working toward families’ goals together, we create sanctuary, safety, and friendship in the community. 

We are creating beloved community. Since 2015, we have accompanied nearly 300 people from all over the world. We accompany recently arrived immigrants of all immigration statuses, sexual orientations, and gender identities. We have accompanied people from Cuba, Haiti, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Eritrea, Egypt, Mongolia, Philippines, Afghanistan, Brazil, Laos, Honduras, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador, Venezuela, Colombia, Argentina, Russia, Ukraine, Fiji, Vietnam. All are welcome here.

• To learn more about families and congregations who have accompanied them, read our NEAT Stories or watch our video: “From Root Causes to Sanctuary”.
• If you are interested in participating in NEAT, you can form a team through your congregation! Please review our introductory materials to get started.  
• Individuals, congregations, and organizations can also partner with us by offering:
  • Hosted Housing – Offer temporary respite housing by hosting a newcomer family in your home, in-law unit, or apartment building for free or reduced cost for 1-3 months . Click HERE to learn more.
  • Welcome Navigator: Be a welcoming presence for families facing immigration court at the new Concord Courthouse.  See our upcoming webinar and training. Click HERE to learn more.
• Meet our 2024 student interns!

Questions? Comments? Ready to start? Contact our NEAT Coordinator, Nadia Tavera: ntavera@im4humanintegrity.org

Have You Ever Stepped Foot in a Courtroom?

Imagine defending your case in a foreign language and unfamiliar environment, with the outcome determining whether you return to danger or find safety. This is the reality for asylum seekers at the new Immigration Courthouse in Contra Costa County.

Join the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4HI) and the Contra Costa Immigrant Rights Alliance (CCIRA) as a Welcome Navigator at the new Concord Immigration Courthouse!

Help provide comfort and clarity to families arriving at immigration court. As a Welcome Navigator, you can:

• Give basic directions within the courthouse
• Connect migrants to the attorney of the Day -on site-
• Be a friendly face in a time of fear

Interested?
To become a Welcome Navigator, please follow these steps:

Step 1) Watch our updated online info session with general information about the Concord Immigration Court (50 mins)

Step 2:  Watch our video training on Important Principles of Accompaniment, since being a Welcome Navigator is a form of Accompaniment (36 mins)

Step 3: Attend an IN PERSON training. 

Trainings will be held every three months. Trainings will be from 8:00am to 10:30am in person at the Concord Immigration Courthouse: 1855 Gateway Boulevard, Ste 850, Concord, CA 94520). Park on the 5th + floors only. Read about the Building Access and Security Screening Process click HERE

Please RSVP to the training by filling out the form below. All you have to do is show up one of the training days at 8am in the waiting area of the 10th floor. Nadia Tavera will be there to greet you.