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Greetings and Happy Easter Season,
I write to you today with an urgent update from the Plaza de Paz Respite Center and Diocese of West Texas Immigration & Refugee Ministries.
For the past year, Plaza de Paz has partnered with the Migrant Resource Center (MRC)/Centro de Bienvenida shelter in San Antonio, sending individuals or families who need overnight accommodations to their shelter from Plaza de Paz. However, in the last few weeks, respite centers and shelters throughout the state have experienced a significant increase in requests for aid, requiring all programs to consider expanding services.
As of April 24, the MRC is at capacity and temporarily unable to accept referrals to provide migrants with daytime respite services or overnight shelter. Currently, vulnerable migrants arriving in San Antonio no longer have access to safe overnight sleeping arrangements, and while Plaza de Paz will continue providing daytime respite services for newly arriving migrants, it does not have the capacity to respond to this growing need for overnight shelter.
After consulting with the Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, the Plaza de Paz Respite Center will temporarily expand its current services to provide short-term, overnight housing for migrants, who have been processed and released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Moving forward, Plaza de Paz staff will make hotel reservations for individuals and families, for one or more nights until their flight or bus ride’s scheduled departure times to family or sponsors throughout the country. This response will provide temporary shelter and humanitarian services to those who continue to make the harrowing journey from their home countries to the United States in pursuit of safety and security.
In the first week of this new arrangement, from April 24 – 30, Immigration Ministries provided overnight shelter to 38 families, most including one or two children under the age of eight. In total, 113 people were provided a secure place to spend the night. The average length of stay was one night. Without this emergency shelter, all would have been forced to sleep on city streets until their travel arrangements were finalized.
Immigration & Refugee Ministries will continue to dialogue with our partners to coordinate ongoing response together, but in the meantime, Plaza de Paz has an urgent need for volunteers to help welcome individuals and families at the hotel. Meal delivery volunteers are also needed on Saturdays and Sundays to deliver meals to those staying at the hotel. Brief job descriptions for both volunteer positions are attached below.
Lastly, the large increase in arrivals at Plaza de Paz has exhausted the respite center’s available inventory of food and supplies needed to care for our migrant neighbors. If you or your church are able, Immigration Ministries welcomes donations of shelf-stable food and new clothing. Items can be delivered or brought to the Bishop Jones Center (111 Torcido Drive; San Antonio, TX 78209) anytime during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Friday). For a list of needed items, visit our Amazon and Walmart Wishlists below.
I pray that you consider supporting Plaza de Paz as our staff and volunteers strive to welcome each migrant neighbor with respect and compassion. Thank you for your continued love and support.
Flor Saldivar
Director of Immigration & Refugee Ministries
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