Dear Flagstaff Community,
We invite you to contribute to a campaign to assist undocumented members of our community at https://www.gofundme.com/f/covid19-fund-for-flagstaff-immigrants.
These are long-time residents who’ve been working here, paying taxes, raising families, and volunteering in our community — often for many decades. Yet they were specifically excluded from federal relief funding, even as many of them have lost their jobs because of the pandemic.
Immigrants have long held low-wage jobs in Flagstaff restaurants, hotels, cleaning services, and construction. And many have already been laid off in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Although undocumented workers are vital to our economic and community well-being, most are systemically excluded from safety-net programs like unemployment insurance and other public benefits. And despite paying into our tax system just like the rest of us, most will not receive a dollar of support from the COVID-19 federal relief program. This is a huge injustice!
We rely on the tireless labor of our immigrant neighbors. Today, they need to be able to rely on us.
By contributing to the COVID-19 Fund for Flagstaff’s Immigrant Families, you help local families and individuals pay their rent and utilities, buy groceries, and obtain urgently needed medical care. You also let them know they are valued in our community.
Please give as much as you can! We welcome all amounts — from $5 on. Consider pledging all or some portion of your federal COVID-19 relief check to the immigrant community. As you consider what you can give and what is just, perhaps Rabbi Hillel’s words can guide you:
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
And if not now, when?”
PARA SOLICITAR FINANCIACIÓN HAGA CLIC AQUÍ .
TO APPLY FOR FUNDING CLICK HERE .
This campaign is organized by El Pueblo de Flagstaff, working with the First Congregational Church of Flagstaff. We have now provided $500 one-time grants to more than 80 families, but many more need this assistance. Please give whatever you can — and please share this link widely with your social networks, friends, and family.
Thank you for widening the safety net in our community!
— Sarah Wilce