Westcott: Carbondale responds with compassion
Unlike Donald Trump, who recently called immigrants “not people” and “animals,” members of the Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists (TRUU) congregation experienced the humanity of our unhoused immigrant neighbors during a recent service, as they shared stories of their harrowing journeys and future hopes. Hearing of their excruciating decisions to abandon friends and family because of a collapsed economy, unbearable living conditions, a corrupt government, and fears for life opened hearts and minds.
Carbondale responded with compassion to people just struggling to survive. However, come April 1, the safety net provided by our community will end.
After listening to individual stories and learning of how grateful the immigrants are for the support, several members of the congregation offered to open their spare bedrooms for several months to some of the immigrants as the process of applying for Temporary Protected Status or Asylum continues. What a different response, recognizing the humanity of people in need instead of dehumanizing them!
The Social Justice committee of TRUU encourages others in our community to step up and meet the need of our unhoused immigrant neighbors who are struggling to become integrated into our community.
Contact Brooke at 970-456-8480.
Peter Westcott, Thelma Zabel, Nancy Roen, Udelle Stuckey, Rob Benedetti, Mike Kish, Larry Bogatz, Will Hodges, Katie Marshall, Sue Coyle, Sondie Reiff, and M. Susan Cashel for the Social Justice committee of TRUU
Carbondale
