You Did It!

With Late Surge, SNL Exceeds Ambitious Fundraiser Goal

In spite of numerous skeptics, Board Treasurer Jim Russo never seemed to doubt the outcome when he stated at the beginning of the 2025 Fall Fundraising Drive, "Let's double it." At 2:10pm on December 30, that is exactly what we did, going from $60,000 in 2024 to raising $121,500 this year! Even in mid-December this scenario seemed unlikely but a surge in donations in late December put us over the top.

Senator Stephanie Chang Agrees

to Hold Hearing on ICE Civil Rights Abuses

130 Faith Leaders Participate in Lansing Pilgrimage for Human Dignity

Over 130 SNL members and dozens of other faith leaders packed the Michigan Senate Chamber on December 2, and were officially recognized during the Senate's formal Session, as part of SNL's Lansing Pilgrimage/Posada. A highlight of the event was Senator Stephanie Chang's (D-Detroit) commitment to partner with SNL to hold a statewide hearing on ICE’s civil rights abuses.

The day-long event featured 12 Clergy leaders from across the state, including Episcopal Bishop Bonnie Perry, who joined SNL to support legislation prohibiting ICE arrests and detentions at churches, schools, and other "sensitive locations". The event also helped build awareness about the "Local for Local" campaign and was an opportunity to bread together with other faith leaders in Michigan.

Other Highlights from the day included:

Sit-down meetings with 12 State Senators and their staff.
Visits to all 37 Senate offices and all 110 House offices, to deliver a packet of information on SNL and the Local for Local campaign and letters of support from leaders of 5 religious denominations.
Confirmation from the Executive Directors of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association to meet with SNL in early 2026 to discuss our Local for Local campaign.

To follow up on these advocacy efforts, here are some actions you can take now:

Send a follow-up email to your State Senator and Representative: Ask for their support of SB 508-510 and urge them to join Sen. Chang in holding state-wide hearings around ICE's civil rights abuses and police-ICE collaborations.
Be a part of the "Local for Local Campaign": Set up a meeting with your local Sheriff or Police Chief/ Commander to build a relationship with local law enforcement and raise awareness of the negative consequences of 287 agreements, and the harmful impact on the local community when police officers are deputized as ICE agents.

Contact Odalis Perales for more information: perales.o@strangersnolonger.org

INTERESTED IN FORMING A CIRCLE OF SUPPORT? Contact: obrien.b@strangersnolonger.org

SNL Expands Statewide Work with Grants to Train Rural Health Workers and Northern MI Interpreters

SNL is partnering with the State of Michigan, Charlevoix Community Foundation and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan

The State of Michigan, through the Health and Human Services Dept. and the Office of Global Michigan, have awarded SNL grants for two new training programs in Community Mental Health and Interpreter Training. These programs cover Northern Michigan, the Thumb Region, and Montcalm County in West Michigan.

The mental health crisis many immigrant families are experiencing, as a result of the increased pressure ICE has brought to bear in many rural areas, is the focal point of SNL's effort to recruit and train Community Health Workers in the Thumb region and Montcalm County. Nine residents are in the first cohort of trainees, with two having already completed their certification in mental health first aid. A second cohort is planned to expand this vital work. For more info, or to apply for the 2026 Training Cohort of Community Health Workers, contact SNL staff organizer Odalis Perales at: perales.o@strangersnolonger.org.

In Northern Michigan, SNL's Belong Network will send 14 bilingual Northern Michiganders to a virtual Community Interpreter Training given by the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. An additional grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation will cover the program fees of another 4 County residents. These grants will fund a total of 18 residents from Buckley, Traverse City, East Jordan, Harbor Springs, Indian River, Gaylord, Alpena, and Oscoda. While most speak Spanish, other languages including Mandarin Chinese, Ukrainian, and Russian are also represented.

Many thanks to the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, for their partnership, as well as the Office of Global Michigan! A special thanks also to the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan for making this class available virtually.

STRANGERS NO LONGER HOSTS FIRST-EVER STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP TRAINING

On Saturday, November 8, 70 leaders from across Michigan gathered at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Brighton for SNL's first-ever statewide leadership training.

An important highlight was fellowship among leaders from Mackinaw City to Downriver Detroit, Ionia to Bad Axe, and everywhere in between. Leaders held small group discussions about a roadmap for Strangers No Longer in 2026, including becoming a statewide power organization. After learning about intentional one-on-one conversations, leaders were charged with holding ten one-on-ones with individuals in their communities.

A follow up to the training will take place on January 24, during the next Circle Leaders Assembly, at Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Oak Park, MI (rather than travel south in the snow, northern Michigan leaders are meeting in Gaylord on January 20^th).

We are excited to see the power we can build together in 2026 to best impact our communities!

Strangers No Longer Hires New Economic Development Organizer for BELONG: Northern Michigan Inclusion Network

With funding from the Office of Global Michigan , SNL is thrilled to welcome Pam McCann, a Sunrise Side Michigander, to a new, position as Economic Development Organizer. Pam is tasked with developing BELONG's Economic Development Taskforce, engaging a diverse network of partners, and coordinating efforts focused on immigrant hiring and retention. Pam joins Amy Ketner (lead organizer) and Lauren Vitas (NE MI Organizer, Admin. Assistant) as part-time staff , along with robust team of dedicated volunteer leaders. Together, we look forward to the April 24, 2026 BELONG Conference in Gaylord, MI.

UD JESUIT, MERCY AND CATHOLIC CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOLS HOST IMMIGRANT AND YOUTH "MISSIONARIES OF HOPE" PRESENTATIONS

Mercy High School teachers welcomed immigrant Missionary of Hope and Circle Leader, Daris, to share her story with several classes in early November. A beloved speaker at the school, Daris was thrilled to be back.

University of Detroit Jesuit High School celebrated an all-school Mass on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Before Mass concluded, Strangers No Longer immigrant Missionary of Hope and Circle Leader, Lupe, shared her testimony to the entire high school, with SNL Staff, Gaby Sakmar, translating.

Detroit Catholic Central High School hosted University of Detroit Jesuit seniors, Shahzad Arshad, Shiraz Arshad and Joseph Davis, who presented to approximately 200 freshmen and sophomores about how they live out Catholic Social Teaching by participating with Strangers No Longer. Presenters invited Catholic Central students to join Youth in Action for Immigration.

YOUTH IN ACTION FOR IMMIGRATION TRIVIA AND MOVIE NIGHT

This November, Youth in Action for Immigration held an Immigration Trivia night and showed the movie “Romero”, about the life of St. Oscar Romero. Youth leaders prepared their own trivia game, with questions about the US Immigration system, the origins of Strangers No Longer, and St. Oscar Romero. After dinner and the movie, they reflected about how to live lives inspired by Romero and his solidarity with the poor. Thank you, Mercy High School, for hosting this event!

Stay tuned for more information about a Heritage Day hosted by Youth in Action for Immigration at Detroit Cristo Rey High School on Saturday, February 7, from 1-4pm! All are welcome!

VOLUNTEER FOR THE INTERFAITH IMMIGRATION DETENTION

VISITATION PROGRAM

An interfaith group of volunteers, coordinated by the IHM Sisters in Monroe, offers spiritual reflection, friendship and conversation to immigrants detained in the Monroe County Jail. Spanish speaking persons are particularly needed. For more information contact Sr. Maria Klosowski, RSM at 313-910-3468, or email mklosowski@sistersofmercy.org .