Hope Sometimes Hard to Find - While not officially a part of the Migrant Ministry program many of our parishioners attend the Friday morning 7:15 AM Prayer Vigil at the Broadview Processing Center, 1930 Beach Street. Migrants continue to be detained there usually sleeping on the floor with little access to bathrooms. Recently this time and location has become a focus for protestors because that is the time migrants are bused to the airport for deportation.

On a recent Friday morning, the road was blocked, windows boarded up, a full contingent of media was there and many protestors, mostly young - but some of retired age and even one family with three small children. The crowd was noisy but quiet as we held the prayer service, except when ICE officers arrived or departed. The noisiest time was when a full contingent of about 20 National Guardsmen marched out in full battle gear including weapons.

And yet this week at Centro San Edmundo, we continue to provide clothing, breakfast, toiletries, and help with immigration forms. The migrants are always so grateful. One of our resettled men came this week to apply for a work permit. He is a very young man with a young family who is trying to help several friends with young children. We are proud of him and of our housing program which supports him.

Pivoting has been our hallmark in the Migrant Ministry. Services in the Saint Edmund school building will end on October 9, and we hope to move to another space. Until further notice, we paused donations on Monday, September 15. Immigration has moved across the street to Murphy Hall, and we are still seeking a location for the “free stores.”

Our work would not be possible without the volunteers and your generous donations. We are currently no longer accepting donations of clothing or other items. Financial donations are always welcome and much needed.

For more information, email [email protected].