Our Story

The Interfaith Welcome Coalition came together in the summer of 2014 in response to the overwhelming need of unaccompanied children coming to the United States from Central America.

In response to the crisis, a broad network of faith communities & community organizations began working closely with RAICES, a nonprofit organization who are the legal advocates for refugees and asylum seekers.

The work evolved and now the IWC collaborates with many organizations serving refugees, asylum seekers, and at-risk immigrants and serves as advocates for the needs of these vulnerable populations.

Reverend Kelly Allen, who spearheaded IWC until her passing in 2016.

“As a pastor of San Antonio’s University Presbyterian Church, Allen helped form the Interfaith Welcome Coalition, a humanitarian response to the women and children fleeing deadly violence and poverty in Central America and seeking asylum in the United States.”

NowCastSA has compiled many videos and articles on Allen’s work with IWC here.

“Central American Refugees Flee Violence”: A Background on the Refugee/Asylum Seeker experience

(made by the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS))

Interfaith Welcome Coalition (IWC) is a faith-based movement

meeting the changing needs of

asylum seekers, refugees and at-risk immigrants

in collaboration with others.

We value the basic human dignity of all people.

We value listening to and sharing the stories of the people we serve.

We value seeking justice and fairness on behalf of those in need.

We value our shared faith which inspires us to welcome the stranger.

We currently help a lot of asylum seekers.

These are migrants who have begun their asylum application,

and are still awaiting the official grant of asylum by a judge.

The people we help come usually come from Latin America and Africa.

We respond to the needs as they present themselves and as they change.

We provide basic support to people on their journey.

We educate and advocate to change the systems that impact immigrants.

We pray in community.

Educate ourselves and others on immigration issues.

Become aware of organizations which work with at-risk immigrants, collaborate with them and support their work.

Engage in advocacy activities related to at-risk immigrants.

Allocate funds to provide material support for asylum seekers and at-risk immigrants.

Recruit volunteers and provide funding for IWC service programs that serve the immigrant community.