Immigrant Justice Initiative

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How to donate: If you would like to support our efforts to bring more people in from the cold, we have set up a link on the church website for donations toward all costs related to the work of the Immigrant Justice Initiative. Follow the link and look under "One Time Donations" for Sanctuary and Immigrant Support. Thank you!

Questions? ​You can reach us by emailing c3himmigrant@gmail.com

News​

In July 2020, the Immigrant Justice Initiative welcomed a family of four asylum seekers. Gaby, Oscar, and their two children are now sharing space in our Manse with Yeimy, who has been living there for over a year.

Previous Newsletters

July 2020 Newsletter 
​June 2020 Newsletter 

Our commitment

On February 18, 2018, Community Church of Chapel Hill voted to become a sanctuary congregation by passing the following motion:
"Be it resolved that we, the members of The Community Church of Chapel Hill, Unitarian Universalist, publicly declare our intent to be a Sanctuary Church.  Before officially hosting someone in our space, we will seek to build a relationship with the sanctuary guest so that each party feels comfortable that this would be a fruitful and safe undertaking, respecting the needs and boundaries of both the individual and the congregation. Further, we dedicate ourselves to educate and activate our congregation and community, to amplify and respond to the voices of immigrant leaders, and to speak out against discrimination towards marginalized people. The Sanctuary and Immigrant Support Ministry, with and through the Minister, will provide periodic reports to the Board of Trustees regarding actions taken pursuant to this resolution."

Our Work

In accordance with our commitment, the Immigrant Justice Initiative has taken the following actions:
  • The Manse has been renovated and outfitted by volunteers to create a welcoming space for immigrants in need of housing and support.
  • Some 74 individuals participated in a two-hour training session geared towards understanding the history of the sanctuary movement and the needs of those agreeing to take up sanctuary.
  • Congregation members have regularly volunteered to support Rosa del Carmen Ortez-Cruz, who is currently in sanctuary at the Church of Reconciliation.
  • We hosted a dinner and awareness night in support of Syrian refugees.
  • Temporary housing was provided for Dayana, a refugee from Cuba.
  • Two separate trips were made to the Stewart Detention Center in rural Georgia, where we could witness the inhumane conditions and talk directly to a few of those incarcerated there.
  • We are sponsoring Yeimy, an asylum seeker from El Salvador, which has enabled her to be released to us after six months in detention. Housing, logistic support, language services, and arrangements for medical/mental health are also being provided.
  • Financial assistance was also given on behalf of this asylum seeker, by paying a portion of her bond release and providing airfare from the detention center to NC.
  • Support (including transportation) was provided to a family of asylum seekers residing in Chatham County.
  • Some members attended The Gathering: Sanctuary and Immigration on August 6, 2017 led by Rev. William Barber and Repairers of the Breach.
  • We sent  a team to the Sanctuary Matters: Testimony and Best Practices conference at United UCC on September 16, 2017.
  • Members volunteered as tutors in immigrant communities through the Chatham Literacy Council.
  • A special “Bountiful Bags” food drive was held in June 2017 in response to a growing need expressed by the Interfaith Council for Social Services.
  • Members volunteered as drivers for Syrian refugees to a picnic held in Carrboro in May 2017.
  • We donated church space for a meeting of Movement to End Racism and Islamophobia (MERI).
  • We contacted local congregations and organizations to find out about opportunities for partnership and collaboration and established a shared covenant with our neighboring UU congregations (Eno River UU Fellowship, UU Fellowship of Hillsborough, UU Fellowship of Raleigh, Mutual Aid Carrboro) to promise financial support, volunteer support, and moral support for Sanctuary efforts.

​We are most appreciative of the hours of volunteer service so graciously given by 90 members of our Congregation (and 25 volunteers from other organizations), and we gratefully acknowledge the financial support that has been received to support the above efforts.

More opportunities

Click here to download a list of some of the tutoring and other volunteer opportunities with immigrants in our area.  It includes contact information.