Donation protected
Buena Park Migrant Assistance serves the shelter community where 900-1,000 Venezuelan migrants are temporarily staying until they can find homes. The location is 640 W Irving Park Road, the former American Islamic College and long-time Immaculata Girls High School—in the Buena Park community of Chicago. This shelter is the next step migrants go after a stay in a police station which can be anywhere from 4 days to 2 months, where they are sleeping on the floor and/or outside on the cement. It opened its doors July 28, 2023.
Community groups have supported each other as the migrant population grew from 550 to 600 in a week. It increased quickly to 840 at the end of August, and has now grown to 1,300. There are mostly families staying there, including approximately 550 young children.
It started with a Facebook group, Target Wish List and Amazon Wish List. Things grew from there. Neighbors have been donating clothing, books (in Spanish), shoes, toys and many other supplies. Some items needed must be purchased new (underwear, socks, bras, etc.) but there is so much that can be handed down from others. The group recently created a not-for-profit.
CASH is used to purchase/replenish Ventra cards, pay for haircuts and purchase emergency items like diapers, underwear, etc. It also helps us cover overhead costs like our website, storage, fees for things like the coat drive, and more.
The support for the migrants is just the basics. Most arrived with just the clothing they were wearing. They WALKED here to the United States, surviving unimaginable experiences. They come from a warm climate and need warmer clothes now. We are trying to teach them about “layering.”
-Socks (new)
-Underwear (new)
-Shoes – in good condition
-Bras (new)
-Feminine products
-Blankets
-Pillows
-Diapers
-Suitcases (used, in good condition) to store items
-Towels and washcloths (new)
-Cell phones (prepaid) – see Amazon list
-Brush
-Comb
-Soap
-Toothbrush
-Toothpaste
-Mouthwash
-Body lotion
-Nail clippers
-Nail files
-Ponytail holders
***Winter wear (for kids and adults): coats, boots, gloves, scarves, hats
-Hoodies (all sizes)
-Sweaters
-Hygiene kits are being assembled monthly. This is not being provided by the shelter, and it is a great need. See Amazon list for those tagged “hygiene kits.”
Thank you for your help!!!
Organizer
Denise Alberts
Organizer
Chicago, IL