Tue, Sep 22, 2020 @ 7:30 PM

The 805 Undocufund (www.805undocufund.org) is an essential way to support the local undocumented community during the COVID-19 crisis. This community is uniquely impacted during this time, as they will not have access to to the same federal relief funds as US Citizens. As a result, the 805 Undocufund has already received more applications for funding than during the 2017 Thomas Fire/Mudslides, and the need continues to grow.

In response, the Interfaith Sanctuary Alliance is inviting local faith communities to participate in an 805 Undocufund Week between April 27 - May 3. During this time, we encourage faith communities to post about the 805 Undocufund in their social media, websites, and/or email newsletters, and even to make an ask for donations during their virtual services if they're willing and able. Faith communities and organizations can participate at whatever level works for you - anything you can do to spread the word will help! 

We've included sample social media/email/website text below and have attached flyers and graphics for your use as you see fit.

We know that many, many of us are hurting in different ways during this time, so we know that not all will be able to contribute. However, we want to do our part to magnify this effort to support some of the most vulnerable among us in Santa Barbara County. Thank you for your support of our immigrant neighbors during this difficult time!

Please let us know if you and/or your faith community will participate by completing this 2-minute form!

Please feel free to copy/paste/edit for your faith community/organization’s use on social media, email, websites, etc.

Blurb:

The COVID-19 Crisis has affected all of us in many ways. Undocumented immigrant individuals and families are especially impacted, as they are excluded from federally funded safety net programs. However, they too have been economically impacted by the loss of wages and/or employment due to COVID-19.

The 805 Undocufund provides much-needed financial assistance to these individuals and families. Please join us in supporting our friends and neighbors in the 805!

For more info and/or to donate, please visit www.805undocufund.org.

#safetynetforall
#allfamiliesareessential
#805undocufundweek

About the need:

From the SB Independent: “…Due to the coronavirus lockdown, many (undocumented) hotel housekeepers, restaurant dishwashers, and others ― sometimes referred to as the “invisible backbone” of our region’s labor force ― are out of a job. But unlike their citizen counterparts, they’re not eligible for unemployment insurance, even though their paychecks contribute to the same state unemployment fund.

...with schools closed, childcare is a major problem for many of them. “If you’re a farmworker, you don’t have the money to hire a babysitter or nanny,” Zucker said. “The only thing you can afford is group childcare, but that’s all shut down.” Then there are the self-employed, such as domestic workers, who face serious financial uncertainty as long as shelter-at-home and social-distancing orders are in place.”

From: https://www.independent.com/2020/03/24/covid-19-is-breaking-santa-barbaras-invisible-backbone/?fbclid=IwAR3eoJG_VzBEpWsPq2EhOpTPc-DmXg-VrvAHptcvf-75HZspzLfMH09neaA

How the 805 Undocufund Helps:

The Fund assists individuals and families who have lost their:

• Homes

• Wages

• And/or employment

due to disasters. Funds are provided to qualifying families in un-earmarked checks, which can be used for expenses including but not limited to:

• temporary housing

• home repairs

• rent

• groceries

• childcare expenses due to disaster-related school closure

• essential household items

• clean-up items

• medical and dental expenses

• tools and equipment required for work

• school supplies

• repair of essential vehicles

• moving and storage expenses

• legal document replacement

• funeral and burial expenses

The 805 UndocuFund will also help affected families access other community resources to provide some economic relief.