Several external factors will be impacting our volunteer programs:
- The new administration has largely closed off all asylum reception at the border. Essentially no one is being released from Border Patrol custody. Since Jan. 20, IWC has seen a sharp decrease in the number of travelers passing through the bus station and airport.
- The administration has frozen funding that has been supporting many of the reception and shelter operations at the border. This impacts IWC as well as other organizations in San Antonio, such as the City of San Antonio and Catholic Charities.
To make the best use of our resources, IWC has made changes to the hours of operation:
Bus Station
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday: CLOSED
Airport
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday CLOSED
Hours at the airport and bus station are subject to further reductions in the coming weeks depending on conditions. IWC is also eliminating our part-time positions. We are very sad to see our part-time employees go. They have brought such a wealth of gifts and talents to this work.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will make additional changes as needed. We will keep you updated.
IWC’s mission is meeting the changing needs of asylum seekers, refugees, and at-risk immigrants in collaboration with others – and needs are changing rapidly right now. We are working closely with local partners to identify and develop opportunities to respond to new needs that IWC is well-suited to support. Our goal is to ensure that IWC can continue fulfilling its mission for years to come. If you have questions, please feel free to email Katie Myers, IWC Chair, at chair@interfaithwelcomecoalition.org
We invite everyone to consider a financial gift to support IWC’s work in these challenging times. The support of individual donors is crucial to our ability to remain responsive to our community. For more information on how to donate visit: https://interfaithwelcomecoalition.org/donate/
