<div>Two years ago, I worked closely with local leaders and organizations to connect newly arrived families with basic necessities while they were waiting for a safe place to stay.
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<div>Today, the situation has shifted.
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<div>Families who remain are struggling to meet their most basic needs and they live in constant fear of deportation, imprisonment, and physical harm.
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<div><strong>Who You Are Helping</strong>
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<div>I am currently assisting two families who live together in a small two-bedroom apartment on the South Side of Chicago.
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<li>Family 1: Mom with three teenage daughters (ages 11, 15 &amp; 16)
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<li>Family 2: Male/Female couple with a one-year-old son
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<div>Despite their determination and resilience, most of their income goes directly to rent, leaving little for essentials like blankets, towels, hygiene products, food, and clothing. They are currently sleeping in an apartment on a hard LVP floor with no blankets or bedding of any kind. They have found work but try to minimize their time outside of the home as much as possible, and areas where they can access free or low cost home items are a target for ICE today.
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<div><strong>Immediate Plan:</strong> Personally deliver items they need. Chicago nonprofits have created "stores" for migrant refugees to access but those have become a target for ICE raids.
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<li>Financial Donations: I plan to use $$ through GoFundMe for purchasing gently used items to stretch those dollars further (FB marketplace, low-cost local donation stores, etc.)
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<li>Local Resources: Chicago nonprofits have created "stores" for migrant refugees to access free or low-cost home goods but those have become a target for ICE raids.
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<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/366OFNM3KABCL?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_3JW1WTKCF2N5A7DMYPW9" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amazon Wish List</a>: for new items like bedding, baby formula, medicines, hygienic items, etc. I want to focus on prioritizing their dignity and giving new items while also using resources I myself would use (thrift stores, gently used items from friends and family, etc.)
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<div><strong>Ongoing Plan:</strong> Depending on the amount of donations received, I will assess ongoing needs and potentially expand support to additional families facing similar challenges.
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<div>Having worked with grassroots organizations over the years, the realities of displacement are clear: people do not uproot their families unless the risks of staying outweigh those of leaving.
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<div>These families are trying to do what’s best for their loved ones, and recent changes in immigration policy compound their vulnerability. My commitment is to help where I can, starting in my own community. Every contribution will directly support efforts to provide comfort, dignity, and hope to families in need.
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<div><strong>Are you interested in staying updated, getting involved, or simply have ideas or feedback? </strong>Provide your email address <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy-5geUqTcAVRHpjJLG0ExLrHUPJRbKRcQ-YG8HvCD8bP2RA/viewform?usp=sharing&amp;ouid=111896360411521822251" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">in this form</a>.
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Courtney Leestma

Julia Massaro

Toni Massaro

Theresa Maxey

Anonymous

Julia Zousmer

Elizabeth Massaro

Debora Vander Schaaf

Cara Johnson

Carly Zuba

Katie Phillips

Support Migrant Refugee Families in Chicago

Just $500$ to go! Make an impact.

Support Migrant Refugee Families in Chicago

Just $500 to go!
Make an impact.