As Social Workers, we must always stand up for the safety and dignity of the communities we serve, and it is in that spirit that we stand with Gov. Walz in demanding that federal agencies remove ICE agents from Minnesota immediately.
For those looking for ways to help, for resources for themselves or their neighbors, or places you can donate, here is our most recent resource list. If you can afford to give, please donate generously to the orgs supporting our community. If you are a therapist looking to offer services to communities in need, or you want to financially support those providing these critical services please connect with Roots Wellness, listed below:
Resources for Community Members who are Interacting with ICE:
If you see Federal Agents take someone, call:
If your rights are violated by ICE, report it to the ACLU: https://www.aclu-mn.org/ice-feds-form/
If you experience gender based or sexual violence, report it to Gender Justice: https://www.genderjustice.us/ice-report/?sourceid=1071542&ms=TargetedEmail&emci=5379cd08-3cf2-f011-8194-000d3a11f903&emdi=7f88ee0c-11f3-f011-8d4c-000d3a54b560&ceid=11032484
If you are concerned about potentially being intercepted, Ready Now! App by Human Rights First is a secure one-click emergency alert system for immigrant families. Instantly notify trusted contacts and legal aid if you are faced with arrest.
Mental Health Supports for Impacted Individuals/Communities:
- Roots Wellness Center – Offering free therapy/counseling for impacted community members. If you are a licensed counselor/therapist looking to volunteer services to impacted communities, you can reach out to them to get on their network. Bilingual therapists are especially needed right now. Donations are also key to keeping this program running, so please consider making a donation to the important work they’re doing to provide acute support in this critical time of need.
- Free mental health support providers – A growing list of therapists offering no-cost care to those impacted by ICE violence.
- Interna Mental Health is hosting a Minneapolis Community Drop-in Processing Space (virtual & free) on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
- The Root to Crown Abundance Therapy Fund The Root to Crown Abundance Therapy Fund allows community members to assist in sponsoring Black, brown, Indigenous, and people with melanated skin who have financial barriers to receive high-quality trauma, racial trauma, and grief therapy services from Root to Crown Healing & Wellness.
- MN Trauma Recovery Network - Disaster Relief Pro Bono Therapy - Free EMDR therapy for trauma recovery.
Support for Immigrants and Community Members Experiencing Food and Resource Insecurity Because They Fear Leaving Home:
- Brian Coyle/Waite house are food pantries that serve immigrant communities, especially our neighbors in Cedar Riverside who have been disproportionately targeted, you can donate or inquire about the signal chat for local distribution: https://pillsburyunited.org/programs/food-distribution/
- Community Aid Network MN CANMN serves between 200-300 families each week with free food, diapers and supplies, distributing 1,000 items every distribution day. https://www.canmn.org/
- Dios Habla Hoy Ministries Inc (DHH Church) | DHH Church is a Protestant church serving the Hispanic community in South Minneapolis. They have many homebound families who are registering to receive food boxes, and are inviting cash donations at this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/despensas-food-drive.
- Colectiva Bilingüe (Bilingual Education Collective) is an organization promoting equitable dual language programs in the Minneapolis Public Schools. They have launched a fund to support emergency rent assistance for the families they serve, many of whom are experiencing housing insecurity because of sudden income loss and family separation. https://colectivabilingue.org/en/donate/
- COPAL MN is a non-profit dedicated to advancing justice and improving quality of life for Latino communities, they are operating a report and help line for those impacted: 612-255-3112. https://copalmn.org/
- Every Meal is launching an effort to provide an additional 20,000 food bags to support children and families in our community who are affected by the ICE activity in the Twin Cities. Click here to give or volunteer here.
- Interfaith Outreach & Community Partners (IOCP) is experiencing a surge of demand for grocery deliveries during this time. You can donate food to the food shelf and also volunteer to be a delivery driver. Visit https://iocp.org/volunteers/ for volunteer opportunities.
- La Vina Church in Burnsville is organizing food and supply deliveries: https://iglesiavina.org/
- Neighborhood House has supported immigrants and refugees on St. Paul’s West Side for over 128 years. https://neighborhoodhousemn.org/
- Paper Lantern Project offers mutual aid funds for impacted AAPI Minnesotans, you can apply using this link: https://www.thepaperlanternproject.com/getsupport
- Our Justice is coordinating a diaper and menstrual supplies drive for Community Aid Network, a mutual aid group providing free groceries and household goods for our neighbors: https://secure.everyaction.com/jLLKnfwWk0qdptMbYLoyPQ2?amtOpts=10.00,15.00,20.00,30.00,40.00,55.00&recurringAmtOpts=5.00,10.00,15.00,20.00,25.00,50.00&am=15.00&recurringAm=10.00&is_optimized_ask=true&emci=8b22d88c-57f2-f011-8194-000d3a11f903&emdi=0e836634-f0f2-f011-8d4c-000d3a54b560&ceid=25939
- The Center for Victims of Torture is reporting that many of their clients are unable to leave their homes out of fear of being detained. They are looking for support to serve these neighbors, including volunteers who can help them to access essential resources. Look up volunteer opportunities here: https://www.cvt.org/get-involved/volunteer/ and donate here: https://give.cvt.org/campaign/757531/donate?c_src=FCWEND&c_src2=DB.
- The Immigrant Rapid Response Fund, administered by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota, is deploying emergency grants to community organizations to provide essential support to communities in need. Learn more here: https://www.wfmn.org/funds/immigrant-rapid-response/ and donate here: https://www.wfmn.org/funds/immigrant-rapid-response/immigrant-rapid-response-fund-donate/.
- Urban Ventures is a faith-based nonprofit located in the Phillips neighborhood of South Minneapolis that exists to provide resources for children and families living in poverty. Right now, UV is meeting urgent and unexpected needs for families facing tremendous uncertainty in these difficult times. You can support these efforts through their benevolence fund: https://urbanventures.org/benevolence. Learn more about UV here: https://urbanventures.org/.
- Somali Community Resettlement Services is a non-profit formed by a volunteer network of Somali refugees to directly respond to the needs of Somali refugees and immigrants, offering resettlement supports, healthcare supports, and pathways to employment. https://somalcrs.org/
- Community Advancing Prosperity for Immigrants provides comprehensive support services for immigrants and refugees in the Twin Cities. https://www.capiusa.org/
- Afghan Cultural Society offers resettlement assistance, educational mentorship, mental health supports, and healthcare navigation to Afghan immigrants. https://afghanculturalsociety.org/
- If you are currently facing food insecurity, this is a further list of resources available locally: https://hennepinhealthcare.org/patient-resources/support-services/food-support
Organizations Supporting Legal Representation for our Immigrant Neighbors:
Know Your Rights/Constitutional Observer Trainings, Information, and Opportunities:
Hospital/Healthcare Specific Resources:
Ways to Provide Support to Immigrant Businesses:
Contact Your Elected Officials:
Find guidance on how to do so here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jnc0NLQn4MrhNnE2o0AnL2ROsH793d1AY6iF5j29vG4/edit?usp=sharing
Additional Resources: