Providing Hope Through Commissary Funds

COVID-19 has turned the world upside down.  For those immigrants in ICE detention in northern NJ, their world is now much more stressful.  With volunteer visitation suspended and detainees confined to their cells, many feel frightened and completely isolated.

That's why First Friends of NJ & NY is asking for your help.  We are launching a GoFundMe campaign to provide commissary funds to immigrants in detention in Bergen County Jail, Essex County Correctional Facility, Hudson County Correctional Facility and Elizabeth Detention Center.  At the moment there are approximately 1,200 immigrants detained in New Jersey, and commissary funds will allow them to make phone calls to family, lawyers and friends, and will allow them to purchase critical items. These funds will be vital in providing some comfort in their lives.

Commissary prices in jails and detention centers are notoriously high, and even those detainees that work at the facilities can rarely afford items as the article below states:

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/18/11-toothpaste-immigrants-pay-big-for-basics-at-private-ice-lock-ups.html

We know that times are tough right now, but any donation that you make will help suffering detainees who are isolated and nervous as COVID-19 adds a massive layer of uncertainty to their lives.

Thank you for considering joining us in supporting detained immigrants, and please share this campaign with your friends and colleagues.

Sincerely
First Friends of NJ & NY