$100,000 raised for Legal and Mutual Aid Fund, On Earth Peace shares need for $150,000 more

A release from the Deportation Defense Response Team

The Deportation Defense Response Team is incredibly grateful for your generous support of the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund. The team is an initiative of several districts of the Church of the Brethren with the Intercultural Ministries office and On Earth Peace.

At Annual Conference, On Earth Peace challenged the denomination to raise $100,000. You did it! As of Oct. 31, $107,380 has been raised to support individuals and families caught in the immigration system.

We have approved grants to 13 congregations of the Church of the Brethren on behalf of 40 individuals. Grants are given up to $2,500 for an individual. The grants have provided for attorney fees and application fees as well as mutual aid. Most have gone to help with attorney fees. Several have been used to pay for the application process for temporary protective service cards, green cards, and other immigration status-related petitions. A dozen have included requests for mutual aid while a family member is in detention or has been deported and no longer contributing to the family income.

We are so thankful that you have been willing to care for sisters and brothers in this way. And, you need to know the truth: we are still receiving applications, and we still need your support. If you do the math, you will discover that most of that first $100,000 already has been distributed. On Earth Peace is asking the church to provide an additional $150,000 so that we can continue to meet needs as they occur. Will you continue to support the Deportation Defense Response through giving to the Legal and Mutual Aid Fund?

You can donate online at www.onearthpeace.org/legal_mutual_aid_fund_donations

You can mail checks with “DDR” in the memo line to Atlantic Southeast District, 64954 Orchard Dr., Goshen, IN 46526. For questions contact Beth Sollenberger at atlanticsoutheastcob@gmail.com

The fund is described at www.onearthpeace.org/immigrant_legal_mutual_aid_fund

Congregations needing financial help to aid their immigrant church members may apply for grants by contacting ddrcobcoordinator@gmail.com or 561-647-8981 to receive the application form.

#MissionAndMinistryBoard #StrategicPlan #RacialJustice #LoveOurNeighbors #Discipleship #NewTestamentGiving

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