The Interfaith Welcome Coalition (IWC) has provided hospitality since the organization’s inception in 2014. In the early years, volunteers often welcomed migrants into their homes, offering a warm bed and meals for stays ranging from a single night to several weeks. In 2016, we partnered with the Mennonite Church to offer shelter at Casa Maria y Marta.
By 2025, our approach to hospitality has evolved to better meet the diverse needs of migrant families and individuals while ensuring compliance as a nonprofit. We now have one full-time staff member, Ms. Gombo, who focuses on case management and leads a team of 27 dedicated hospitality volunteers. IWC also works closely with Roca de Refugio to support migrant families and individuals.
IWC provides short-term shelter, which may include a hotel room for up to a week or a stay in a volunteer’s home. After assessing each family’s or individual’s unique needs, Ms. Gombo connects them with appropriate resources. Because no two situations are alike, our services are not one-size-fits-all; instead, we use a holistic model of care.
OUR HOSPITALITY PROGRAM OFFERS:
- Shelter and meals
- Local transportation (bus vouchers or Lyft rides) to vital appointment
- Referrals to immigration attorneys
- Accompaniment to medical appointments
- Assistance enrolling children in school
- Guidance on accessing local food pantries
- Support with filling out housing applications
- Assistance, when possible, with long-distance transportation
- Compassionate, consistent friendship and support
We currently serve two groups: asylum seekers who need short-term shelter while traveling to their final destination, and asylum seekers who have made San Antonio their home within the past five years.
Our partnership with Roca de Refugio allows IWC to provide initial short-term support and then, when space is available, transition families or individuals into Roca’s long-term shelter. Even after the transfer, our Hospitality Coordinator continues to provide case management to ensure ongoing support and stability.
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
If this sounds like something you would like to help with, visit the IWC volunteer page to learn more. The work is part-time, flexible and language skills are not required. If still interested after learning more, register to volunteer with IWC on GivePulse.
