NewsNational

Actions

California church's leaders say they need help preparing for incoming migrant caravan

Posted
and last updated

SAN DIEGO, California — The Christ United Methodist Church's Safe Harbors Network needs help to prepare for the next wave of migrants approaching the US-Mexico border.

The network, started in 2016, provides basic necessities for refugees, such as a bed, shower, food, clothes, medical care and legal aid, until their court date.

"They don't have anything, they have the clothes they're wearing, they don't have phones, they don't have money, they would be homeless, so we take them in," Volunteer Kathryn LaPointe said.

In 2016 the majority of their refugees were Haitian, over the past several months they're mostly women and children from Central America.

"We're taking in between 20 and 30 a night the past few days, most of them were able to send to their families, but I would like to help more people," LaPointe said.

Sunday, LaPointe said they're at capacity and need all the help they can get. "Every person that walks in front of me, I ask for a building," she said laughing, "can you please get me a building."

The network is comprised of individuals, congregations and organizations who care for refugees. "[Provide] basic human kindness, and," LaPointe said as she sighed heavily, "I am so grateful to be able to do that to extend that kindness and I would like to extend that kindness to more people."