Liz Balck is the Sr. Attorney for JFON West Michigan, with sites in Grand Rapids, Holland and Traverse City. ~MIC photo/Kay DeMoss
The United Methodist Women recently awarded a substantial grant of $50,000 to National Justice For Our Neighbors.
“We have been working on immigrant rights for the past eight years, because we believe that all person belong in God’s vision of a beloved community,” explains Sung-ok Lee, Assistant General Secretary, Christian Social Action, of the UMW. “We affirm the human rights of every person regardless of status and affirm that these rights do not stop at borders.”
The grant money was divided among four of our JFON sites— Northern Illinois, Iowa, West Michigan, and Southeastern Michigan.
All of these locations have an urgent need for high-quality, affordable immigration services, yet each lacks the resources to adequately assist the many vulnerable immigrants who so desperately need their help. All of these locations have UMW volunteers who are eager to become more involved and to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of the low-income immigrants who live within their communities.
“As a member of my own UMW in Ann Arbor, I know the power and impact UMW volunteers can have to bring awareness and action around social justice issues,” says Tori Booker, site director for JFON Southeast Michigan. “We are excited to collaborate with such dynamic and caring women.”
For JFON West Michigan, these much-needed funds will be put to good use developing their new site in Traverse City, a resort and farming community where immigrant workers play an integral role in the local economy. Read a recent feature about the Traverse City site from the Grand Traverse Insider.
For Iowa JFON, the windfall meant, first and foremost, that they were able to hire a new attorney, April Palma. April will dedicate her time exclusively to helping the unaccompanied minors who have fled the violence of their home countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Site attorney Ann Naffier estimates that they will be able to assist an additional 40-50 of these UAMs who have endured such hardship and peril to make their way to Iowa.
JFON Northern Illinois will be using their grant funds to serve new clients according to site attorney Jenny Ansay. Among them is Luz Maria, a human rights lawyer/activist from Colombia who seeks asylum in the United States. Several of Luz Maria’s colleagues were murdered, and she herself was severely persecuted and threatened.
“The lives of hundreds of women and children will be able to change,” Jenny says. “We want to thank the United Methodist Women for blessing us with this award. We will make you proud.”
Last Updated on February 2, 2024