As immigration raids continue across L.A., sparking fear and protests, businesses, organizations and community members have been stepping up to support families affected and people at risk.
Whether avoiding public spaces or taking to the streets to protest, residents are finding ways to respond. Boyle Heights Beat has compiled a list of local groups offering supplies, services, volunteer opportunities and more.
Donate food, household essentials and more
Weingart YMCA
The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is collecting donations for those avoiding public spaces or immigration enforcement. Needed items include:
- Non-perishable food
- Personal hygiene products
- Household essentials
- Baby and children’s items
Items can be donated at multiple centers across the county. The nearest drop-off is the Weingart East L.A. YMCA at 2900 Whittier Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90023.
If you or someone you know needs essentials dropped off, contact your local YMCA for confidential support. East L.A. area residents can call (323) 260-7005.
Raíces con Voz: Latinos in Public Health
Raíces con Voz, a Latino-led collective of public health professionals, students and volunteers in Boyle Heights and nearby neighborhoods, is collecting food and household supplies to support undocumented families. Needed items include:
- Canned goods and non-perishable food
- Personal protective equipment for protesters
- Hygiene items and cleaning supplies
- Household items
To coordinate a local pick-up or drop-off, DM @raicesconvozph on Instagram. Volunteers are also needed to deliver supplies. Confidential delivery is available.
Aquí Para la Comunidad
Aquí Para la Comunidad is an undocumented-led organization that shops and delivers groceries and other essentials for undocumented individuals and families. The organization is looking for volunteers to deliver groceries in L.A. and O.C. counties.
To volunteer, you can fill out an interest form online. Those seeking assistance can request aid online, in both English and Spanish.
Support mutual aid funds for immigrant families, protesters
Eastside Immigrant Families – Mutual Aid Fund
The Boyle Heights-based nonprofit InnerCity Struggle (ICS) has launched a mutual aid fund to support Eastside families affected by the ongoing ICE raids with the cost of groceries and rent. You can support the fund by donating online. Those in need of support can reach out to ICS directly by calling (323) 780-7605 or emailing info@innercitystruggle.org.
Undocumented & Mixed-status Families – Community Support Fund
The Boyle Heights-based nonprofit Proyecto Pastoral has launched a community support fund for undocumented and mixed-status families staying home to protect themselves and their loved ones. Aid received will be used to provide essentials, from food and household products to medication and utilities, to those in need. You can support the fund by donating online.
L.A. Families – The People’s Mutual Aid Fund
Strategic Concepts in Organizing & Policy Education (SCOPE) has launched “The People’s Mutual Aid Fund” to support families undergoing economic hardship in connection to the recent raids. Donations will go toward covering the cost of groceries, essential supplies and up to $500 in direct cash assistance. You can support the fund by donating online.
Street Vendors – L.A. Street Vendor Solidarity Fund
A coalition of immigrant rights and street vendor advocacy organizations has launched the L.A. Street Vendor Solidarity Fund to support vendors struggling with the economic fallout from ICE activity across L.A. The fund aims to provide direct aid to vendors experiencing severe income loss amid the looming threat of deportation. You can support by donating on GoFundMe.
Community Justice Exchange – Bail Fund Network
Community Justice Exchange is a national hub for developing and sharing organizing practices, tools and resources. The organization has created a “National Bail Fund Network” comprising over 90 bail and bond funds across the country. You can support the network by donating online or connecting someone in need by filling out a referral form.
Detained Immigrant Bond Fund – CLUE Justice
In partnership with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, the Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) has set up a “Detained Immigrant Bond Fund” to provide individuals detained by law enforcement with bond money to get out of detention.
Those interested in supporting them can donate online at cluejustice.org/bond.
Help track immigration agent sightings
Boyle Heights Rapid Response Network
The Boyle Heights Immigrants Rights Network, a coalition of school leaders, lawyers, faith groups and community organizations in the area, is working with the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network to report and verify ICE activity. Here’s how it works:
- Call (323) 805-1049 to report suspected activity.
- Dispatchers will send out volunteers to confirm or debunk the report.
- If no agents are present, the network will be notified.
- If an arrest is taking place, volunteers work to identify agents involved and get contact information for those being detained.
- Attorneys will contact individuals facing deportation, offering legal support.
Unión Del Barrio Hotline
Unión del Barrio, a volunteer-based social justice organization in Los Angeles, patrols the streets of Southern California to warn communities of any potential ICE activity.
Those who spot possible activity can reach out to the group’s rapid response at (213) 444-6562 for assistance.
You can follow them on Instagram @uniondelbarrio for additional information on how to get involved.
Crowd-source map tracking ICE sightings
People over Papers is an interactive site that displays a map of the U.S. dotted with pins of anonymous users reporting immigration activity, encouraging users to use information provided and cross-reference with other networks.
Pins range from alleged sightings of federal immigration vehicles to information on suspected raids. If you’re looking to report something, you must provide the time and location of the sighting, as well as any additional information available.
You can access the tool online on the digital Padlet platform.