Below are some community resources and initiatives (listed alphabetically) that are addressing systemic injustice in our community.
Central Virginia Sanctuary Congregation Network
Join the Central Virginia Sanctuary Congregation Network organized by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. This a network of congregations in the Central Virginia region that are providing support and solidarity to neighbors, friends, and family who fear being detained, deported or profiled. … There are many ways to stand with people who are being targeted. Some congregations are hosting people who are at risk of deportation; others are supporting congregations that are hosting; accompanying people to ICE check-ins and legal hearings; holding Defend Your Rights trainings; setting up Rapid Response networks to show up when ICE raids take place; and pressing their cities and states to get ICE out of schools, jails and courts and end all policies that racially-profile and over-incarcerate people of color.
Charlottesville Community Resilience Fund (CCRF)
The Charlottesville Community Resilience Fund, a 501c3 independent community resource created by a multi-racial coalition in Charlottesville, is dedicated to raising and distributing funds to meet the needs of people who face undue hardships imposed upon them due to structural oppression.
Read here for more information or Contact Rev. Brittany Caine-Conley by email to invite her to come to speak to your faith community about it.
Charlottesville/Albemarle Immigration Resource and Advocacy Coalition (CIRAC)
Part of CIRAC's mission is to educate the public about issues related to immigration and particularly our undocumented immigrant neighbors. If your church or community groups is interested in a CIRAC presentation regarding the history and background of immigration and immigration policies in the U.S., please contact:immigrantcoalitioncville@gmail.com
Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice
The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice has published a couple of pocket guides to help protesters and citizens.
"How to Oppose White Supremacists Safely and Effectively"
"Staying Safe at Protests: How to Respond Non-Violently"
Charlottesville Immigrant Bond Fund
CIRAC is creating a Charlottesville Immigrant Bond Fund to post bail for detained local immigrants in order to reunite them with their families and children while their cases are under review. (Advocates say the fastest way to help immigrants separated from their children is to post their bail.) Their goal is to raise $75,000 in six months.
Information on how individuals and congregations can donate online will be sent out soon! In the meantime, read this document or email immigrantcoalitioncville@gmail.com for more information. Follow CIRAC (Charlottesville-Area Immigrant Resource & Advocacy Coalition) on Facebook or visit their website.
Coming to the T.A.B.L.E. (Taking America Beyond the Legacy of Enslavement)
Coming to the Table is committed to addressing the legacies and aftermaths of slavery through facing history, making connections, healing wounds, and taking action. Coming to the Table is an affiliate organization of the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.
Help Happens Here
Help Happens Here is an information and referral service that connects residents with free and affordable mental health services. The referral line, 434-227-0641, can connect callers with referrals to private therapists offering free, short-term counseling for stress related to last summer’s violence.
They have a Strategies for Personal and Community Resilience webpage that identifies resources to provide counseling, limited financial support, employee assistance program, and wellness services. You can visit their Facebook page or download this flyer about strategies for personal and community resilience at your organization.
Interfaith “Pray for Peace Circle”
Uplifting and calming service with meditation, prayer, & song
Last Wednesday of every month, 7:15 - 8:30 pm
Held monthly at Janis M. Travers Meditation Center, 2823 Hydraulic Road, adjacent to Unity Holistic Healing Center at Unity of Charlottesville.
Locally-Issued Non-Governmental ID Cards
The Welcoming Greater Charlottesville Task Force is promoting the creation of a local program to produce photo ID’s for those who have difficulty getting ID’s, including the elderly, some immigrants, the homeless, people with developmental disabilities or mental health issues, people returning from jail. Typically such ID card programs are run by a trusted non-profit or religious organization. For more information about this program, visit their website and/or download these documents:
Key Points about Locally-Issued ID Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
Presentation on “US Immigration - The Basics”
Alyson Ball <alysonhoweball@gmail.com> is available to give a one-hour presentation at your place of worship (30-40 minutes followed by 20-30 minutes of Q&A) covering these topics:
1. US Immigrants Over Time - Diversity and % of Population
2. US Visas Overview - paths to citizenship and temporary visas
3. US Cabinet Departments and Who does what in the process? (including courts and detention)
4. Unauthorized Citizens - why do we have them? statistics
5. Recent immigration topics in the news
6. What’s going on in Virginia?
For more information, read this document.
Spread the Vote
Spread the Vote is a non-partisan 501c3, whose mission is to help anyone register to vote and get a valid ID. Spread the Vote volunteers help people fill out forms, get birth certificates, apply for Social Security cards. They will drive folks to the DMV, advocate for them, pay all the fees, and generally help people who don’t have time, patience, resources, to get their IDs. Contact Kat Maybury by email for more information or for her to give a presentation to your faith community.
Central Virginia Sanctuary Congregation Network
Join the Central Virginia Sanctuary Congregation Network organized by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. This a network of congregations in the Central Virginia region that are providing support and solidarity to neighbors, friends, and family who fear being detained, deported or profiled. … There are many ways to stand with people who are being targeted. Some congregations are hosting people who are at risk of deportation; others are supporting congregations that are hosting; accompanying people to ICE check-ins and legal hearings; holding Defend Your Rights trainings; setting up Rapid Response networks to show up when ICE raids take place; and pressing their cities and states to get ICE out of schools, jails and courts and end all policies that racially-profile and over-incarcerate people of color.
Charlottesville Community Resilience Fund (CCRF)
The Charlottesville Community Resilience Fund, a 501c3 independent community resource created by a multi-racial coalition in Charlottesville, is dedicated to raising and distributing funds to meet the needs of people who face undue hardships imposed upon them due to structural oppression.
Read here for more information or Contact Rev. Brittany Caine-Conley by email to invite her to come to speak to your faith community about it.
Charlottesville/Albemarle Immigration Resource and Advocacy Coalition (CIRAC)
Part of CIRAC's mission is to educate the public about issues related to immigration and particularly our undocumented immigrant neighbors. If your church or community groups is interested in a CIRAC presentation regarding the history and background of immigration and immigration policies in the U.S., please contact:immigrantcoalitioncville@gmail.com
Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice
The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice has published a couple of pocket guides to help protesters and citizens.
"How to Oppose White Supremacists Safely and Effectively"
"Staying Safe at Protests: How to Respond Non-Violently"
Charlottesville Immigrant Bond Fund
CIRAC is creating a Charlottesville Immigrant Bond Fund to post bail for detained local immigrants in order to reunite them with their families and children while their cases are under review. (Advocates say the fastest way to help immigrants separated from their children is to post their bail.) Their goal is to raise $75,000 in six months.
Information on how individuals and congregations can donate online will be sent out soon! In the meantime, read this document or email immigrantcoalitioncville@gmail.com for more information. Follow CIRAC (Charlottesville-Area Immigrant Resource & Advocacy Coalition) on Facebook or visit their website.
Coming to the T.A.B.L.E. (Taking America Beyond the Legacy of Enslavement)
Coming to the Table is committed to addressing the legacies and aftermaths of slavery through facing history, making connections, healing wounds, and taking action. Coming to the Table is an affiliate organization of the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University.
Help Happens Here
Help Happens Here is an information and referral service that connects residents with free and affordable mental health services. The referral line, 434-227-0641, can connect callers with referrals to private therapists offering free, short-term counseling for stress related to last summer’s violence.
They have a Strategies for Personal and Community Resilience webpage that identifies resources to provide counseling, limited financial support, employee assistance program, and wellness services. You can visit their Facebook page or download this flyer about strategies for personal and community resilience at your organization.
Interfaith “Pray for Peace Circle”
Uplifting and calming service with meditation, prayer, & song
Last Wednesday of every month, 7:15 - 8:30 pm
Held monthly at Janis M. Travers Meditation Center, 2823 Hydraulic Road, adjacent to Unity Holistic Healing Center at Unity of Charlottesville.
Locally-Issued Non-Governmental ID Cards
The Welcoming Greater Charlottesville Task Force is promoting the creation of a local program to produce photo ID’s for those who have difficulty getting ID’s, including the elderly, some immigrants, the homeless, people with developmental disabilities or mental health issues, people returning from jail. Typically such ID card programs are run by a trusted non-profit or religious organization. For more information about this program, visit their website and/or download these documents:
Key Points about Locally-Issued ID Cards
Frequently Asked Questions
Presentation on “US Immigration - The Basics”
Alyson Ball <alysonhoweball@gmail.com> is available to give a one-hour presentation at your place of worship (30-40 minutes followed by 20-30 minutes of Q&A) covering these topics:
1. US Immigrants Over Time - Diversity and % of Population
2. US Visas Overview - paths to citizenship and temporary visas
3. US Cabinet Departments and Who does what in the process? (including courts and detention)
4. Unauthorized Citizens - why do we have them? statistics
5. Recent immigration topics in the news
6. What’s going on in Virginia?
For more information, read this document.
Spread the Vote
Spread the Vote is a non-partisan 501c3, whose mission is to help anyone register to vote and get a valid ID. Spread the Vote volunteers help people fill out forms, get birth certificates, apply for Social Security cards. They will drive folks to the DMV, advocate for them, pay all the fees, and generally help people who don’t have time, patience, resources, to get their IDs. Contact Kat Maybury by email for more information or for her to give a presentation to your faith community.