Right now, dozens of students in the Como Park area of Saint Paul, Minnesota are hiding in their homes because of the surge of federal law enforcement agents in their neighborhood. Until things drastically change, more will join them in the days to come. While parents know school is safe, they are too scared to walk with the children to bus stops or to drive them to school. And no one knows when it will be safe for them to leave their homes again.

These families need help to get through the next few days or weeks (or longer.) Many parents have had to quit their jobs. All are eating through their food supplies and fear going to the store. Yesterday, a desperate call went out for infant formula. Some will be facing eviction if their savings run out and they can’t pay their rent.

The money gathered by this GoFundMe will be used to provide Como Park families what they need to survive this difficult time. This includes food, diapers, formula, and cash assistance for rent and utilities or other basic needs. Community members are working to gather food and supplies to be distributed to families, but money is needed to purchase what isn’t donated. Any funds that go unused will be donated to the school to be used for years to come.

Nobody wants this. These families have chosen not to go outside after witnessing family and friends being arrested and detained by federal law enforcement irrespective of their legal immigration status and without criminal records. Many of these families are citizens or have green cards. Others are refugees awaiting immigration hearings. But to ICE they all look like “immigrants” and are at risk of being stopped and asked for papers. Their fear is well founded.

I am spearheading this campaign - along with a group of neighbors - because I have lived in this neighborhood for 20 years and built relationships with many Como Park children through four years of substitute teaching at a local school. I have seen them on their first days at school after just arriving in Minnesota. Bright eyed, bundled head to toe in warm clothes (even when it’s a balmy 40 degrees outside). Many are unable to speak more than a few words of English, but they’re immediately ready to make new friends. A year or two later, they’ve gained strong language skills and their personalities shine.

Right now, all these kids want to do is return to school - to see their friends and teachers and continue to learn and grow. But instead, they sit at home. Please join me and other neighbors to make sure they have enough to eat and a warm place to stay until it’s safe again for they and their family members to leave their homes.

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How funds are managed and distributed:

Funds raised through this GoFundMe are coordinated by a group of community member volunteers in support of Como Park area families.

Families in need are identified through a confidential intake screener that assesses needs and prioritizes support for families facing the most urgent challenges.

Assistance is provided in the form of:

-Payments for rent and utility bills

-Food, diapers, formula, and essential household supplies

-Other basic needs to help families remain housed and stable

Only trusted, vetted individuals handle distributions or make payments, and family privacy and safety are strictly protected.

This fundraiser is organized by Lija Greenseid, a long-time neighborhood resident and substitute teacher at Como Park Elementary, because the school does not have an affiliated nonprofit to administer emergency community funds.

Basic records are maintained to document how funds are distributed. Any funds not used for immediate family needs will be directed back to the Como Park community, students, and families in the future.

Disclaimer: This GoFundMe is a voluntary effort and is not affiliated with the St. Paul Public School district.