Dear Southwestern Texas Synod,
For the past year, Plaza de Paz, a ministry housed at our Lutheran Church in San Antonio, 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.
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.
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.
