Category: Accompaniment

A Successful Collaboration Supporting Asylum Seekers

Since 2024 we have partnered each summer with the San Francisco Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA) and the University of San Francisco to offer 8 weeks of housing in unused on-campus dorms to 10 asylum seekers.

We are seeking to expand our work to create similar partnerships with other college campuses throughout the Bay Area!

Interns from USF embody the institution’s values of “Change the World from Here” to provide essential case management. Interns link guests to community-based services in San Francisco such as obtaining IDs, food banks, and accessing medical care. Interns also teach people to use google maps and BART, enroll students in ESL classes, and guests to community activities. We also partner with pro bono legal services in order submit asylum and work permit applications.

For interested interns, see our USF Summer Newcomer Housing Intern FAQ

Volunteers from the community played an invaluable role for food deliveries, move-in day, and special outings.

Together, we create welcoming community

For more details on the success of this program from a student’s perspective, check out this article in USF News written by one of our 2024 USF interns: Kemelyn Alvarado’s Story: Supporting Newcomers at USF

A Partnership That’s Expanding Nationwide

This initiative is a powerful example of community collaboration, and we’re excited to announce that IM4HI is partnering with Every Campus a Refuge to expand this pilot program to other colleges campuses across the United States.  We hope all college campuses will consider offering their unused student housing over the summer to be a part of the solution for asylum seekers.

Thank you to everyone who made this possible—from the interns and volunteers to the legal teams and community partners.

Want to support our work? We are raising $20,000.00 to cover costs for the dorm room stays, welcome funds for each asylum seeker, and emergency funds to assist with their next housing opportunity. Please donate HERE

To get involved in our USF Summer Newcomer Housing program, or to bring this program to your campus, please contact Kelly Younger, Accompaniment Manager, at kyounger@im4humanintegrity.org

In our first month volunteering as Welcome Navigators, something truly remarkable unfolded at the courthouse.  After completing their shift, one volunteer hopped to a different floor of the building to grab their backpack to go home. They were unaware that their day was about to take an extraordinary turn!

As they made their way out of the building, they encountered two women who appeared lost and anxious. In Spanish, the volunteer approached them to see if they needed help. “M” explained that her friend “P” had an appointment, but they couldn’t find the correct room. The volunteer’s heart went out to them when they learned that P spoke only Mixteco, an indigenous language from Mexico, and M was there to accompany and translate for her into her native language.

After checking the screen, the volunteer discovered that Paula had an individual hearing scheduled in 10 minutes for 3 PM.  However, the women were unaware that the hearing required an attorney to be present. Recognizing the urgency, the volunteer led them to consult with the LEI Attorney of the Day.  Unfortunately, he was busy, and time was slipping away.

Both women looked increasingly nervous. The volunteer turned to M and asked if they had any faith tradition. She replied, “Yes. We were praying on our way here, asking God to send someone who could help us. I believe He sent you.”

Feeling the weight of their situation, the volunteer asked P if she would like to pray. She eagerly agreed, and with M interpreting, they lifted their voices together, seeking guidance and support for P as they waited for the judge.

At 3 PM, the judge, clerk, prosecuting government attorney, and translator entered the room right on time. As the hearing began, M leaned over to the volunteer to whisper, “My friend won’t understand this interpreter. The interpreter is using Mixteco Bajo from Oaxaca, but we speak a different dialect of Mixteco Alto from Guerrero.”

Suddenly aware of the gravity of the situation, the volunteer bravely raised their hand to advocate for the women.  She knew that as an indigenous woman, M was already vulnerable to mistreatment and lack of proper understanding in the legal system, and had been socialized to stay quiet in the presence of authority.  The judge turned to them, curiosity etched on her face. Briefly introducing themselves, the volunteer explained that the interpreter was speaking the wrong dialect. The judge’s expression shifted to one of concern as she asked P if she could understand the translator.  P confirmed she couldn’t understand.  

The judge quickly asked if the translator could switch dialects, which she was able to do.  From that moment, the judge consistently checked in with P, asking if she understood and encouraging her to voice any questions.

Witnessing this transformation was profound. Now that P saw the volunteer and judge on her side, her confidence grew as she engaged with the judge, asking questions she had previously.