ASSUMPTIONIST EMAIL NEWSLETTER El Paso Edition, April 14, 2021

In March alone, 170,000 migrants arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border, "the largest single-month total in well over a decade." Due to this drastic increase, religious organizations and other nonprofits in El Paso are working in collaboration with the local government to mobilize and convert their facilities into temporary, back-up shelters for those in need of a few nights of shelter before moving on to their permanent places of residence. These facilities will supplement the temporary housing already being made available by the city.

We are delighted to announce that the city has requested our participation in this effort through the use of our parish hall as a possible backup shelter. Due to its large size, it can accommodate up to 25-30 people with social distancing measures in place. The Assumptionists, along with parish volunteers, are working to transform the hall into a space suitable for this purpose. Our goal is to create a place of dignity, welcome and safety for those who have endured so much on their journey to the United States. 

We are still "on call," waiting to see when or if our shelter will be needed. The situation at the border is rapidly changing, so we never know what the next day will bring. Through close collaboration with organizations on the ground, especially with the Red Cross, we are working to ensure that we are prepared for this ministry when the time comes. We are also using this time to organize a team of volunteers, clean the hall (here in El Paso, things quickly become covered in dust!), and set up all of the necessary equipment and furniture.

Stay tuned for developments on this important project.