Helping Refugees Along the Border

Refugees being assisted by the Val Verde Coalition

As refugees approach the southern border of Texas, they are processed through the local authorities and then released to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. They are then given a court date and told to report to their sponsor’s city within 10 days. Because these families come through the border with only the things they can carry, they need a lot of support.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a truckload of water and hygiene kits for the refugees. The much needed supplies will go to the Val Verde Humanitarian Boarder Coalition. This Coalition is made up of several Churches in the Del Rio area and volunteers in an effort to support the refugees. Families come from as far as Africa, the Caribbean and several Central and South American countries, as well as Mexico. They come speaking not only Spanish, but French, Creole, Portuguese, and various African dialects.

l to r District President Ross Davidson, and Jolene Davidson, Janeene and Shon Young, treasurer and director of the Val Verde Coalition, Marti Faulkner and Rowland Garza Coalition board members

The Val Verde Humanitarian Border Coalition helps asylum-seeking immigrant families transition from the border to a place to stay with sponsors or relatives in the United States until their asylum request can be adjudicated. Families are supplied with water, food, personal items and, if needed, a place to rest and sleep until they can arrange for transportation to their sponsors or family. 

Some of the hygiene kits that will be distributed

Along with the large donation and some operation funding that arrived, members of The Church of Jesus Christ in the Del Rio area, are providing a small part of the extensive volunteer service. This service includes the full time missionaries, several members who help with translation, and some Latter-day Saints who are offering counseling and comfort.

Don Martin, driver of the Deseret truck with Janeene and Shon Young, the directors of the Val Verde Coalition

The website for the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalition is https://vvbhcoalition.com. Their number one request is for prayers, they also have other ways you may assist them on their website. The Coalition’s Amazon wish list is updated frequently according to needs: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2MRQ7EEDPS214?ref_=wl_share