Contact justice@uusaratoga.org for more information
- A Division Street Elementary School Family Needs Your Help!
There are 2 children at Division St Elementary School whose family came to the U.S. from Oaxaca region in Mexico. They are part of an indigenous group and the cartels stole their land and killed his grandmother, so the family fled and sought asylum here. The father and mother worked in local restaurants here in Saratoga in the kitchens.
While at a regularly scheduled immigration meeting, the father was detained and is currently being held in a detention facility in Batavia, NY. And now the kids (a boy and a younger sister) and the mother are left without an important breadwinner to help pay the rent. A pro bono lawyer is representing the father in court, but that process will take time.
What YOU can do
Help Saratoga Immigration Coalition to
1) Find affordable housing for the mom and the 2 kids. If you have any leads – please reach out.
2) Help her pay for rent on a single income (their rent is approx $1950).
Consider making a one time donation, or committing to a monthly amount of $10, $20 or $30 for the next 3 months. The Saratoga Immigration Coalition (SIC) creating a Family Fund to support this particular family. They will write checks directly to the landlord as partial payment for the rent. The goal is to raise a total of $3000, or $1000 per month for June, July and August. If we exceed that goal, any remaining amount will be donated to SIC’s emergency fund, which has already generously supported this family.
Deb Amory (deborahamory@yahoo.com) is coordinating this effort in partnership with SIC (saratogaimmigration@gmail.com or 518-306-1313). Please let Deb know if you plan to contribute so she can help manage the fund, and/or if you have any leads on affordable housing in the area.
Checks can be made out to “Saratoga Immigration Coalition” and mailed to:
Saratoga Immigration Coalition
c/o PUCC
Box 582
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Note: the memo line should include the words “Family Fund”.
- Support Passage of MAID!
Yes, we’ve asked before—we know that personal stories move lawmakers, and your voice could make the difference. Time is running out, and we need you to speak up now and urge your State Senator to vote YES on A136.
We need more New Yorkers to show up! Do you know someone who’s curious about the movement? We sat down with several state legislators leading the fight for terminally ill New Yorkers seeking control at the end of life. Watch the video here and share it.
Share this video with friends, family members, or colleagues who care about end-of-life freedom. Ask them to take action with you to pass A136 THIS SESSION!
- It already passed the House. It’s up to the Senate to stop it. Please call your Senator! Help Stop the SAVE Act
4. Save the Date – June 14th for a nationwide protest/rally to protect Democracy!
- Plan to join the Juneteenth celebration at the Saratoga YMCA – June 19th:
- Weekly Action Updates from Side With Love
Every week, we’ll share a Weekly Action Update featuring essential resources, upcoming events, and spiritual reflections to support work across our intersectional priority areas.
https://sidewithlove.org/action-center-updates/2025/5/20/052025-action-center-weekly-update
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IN THE COMMUNITY
- Friday, May 23, 3:30 – 5:30 pm. “Chalk the Walk” at Pitney Farm. This gathering is part of C.R.E.A.T.E Community Studios’ month-long movement, “C.R.E.A.T.E. Your Own Way,” encouraging everyone to approach mental health on their own terms through art, connection, and imagination. Chalk will be provided, and the Rainbow Garden Club will welcome you in and give you artistic direction, as they have planned a whole, gorgeous display in our parking lot. Pitney Meadows Community Farm is at 223 West Ave.
- Saturday, May 24 : 3:00-7:00 PM : Celebrate Haitian Flag Day
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 85 Chestnut Street, Albany.
Networking, presentation on Haiti, immigration issues, discussion on financial literacy. Free dinner featuring Haitian cuisine. Raffle tickets on sale to defray expenses. Text: 518-429-8174. Flyer.
- RISE to continue operating Adelphi Street shelter. RISE Housing and Support Services announced on Tuesday that a “collaborative path forward” has been established with the city to ensure continuity of care for the local unhoused population, noting the city has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for services relating to a “Supported Entry” homeless shelter through Dec. 31, 2026. According to a press release from RISE, this RFP has provided the organization with reassurance that funding for a year-round shelter will continue beyond the end of this year — and thus the Adelphi Street Shelter will continue to operate through its current contract, which is set to end on Dec. 31, 2025. Earlier this month, RISE announced that if it did not receive a firm commitment from the city to fund operations through 2026 and develop a sustainable long-term planning effort, it would be forced to close the Adelphi Street shelter as early as June 3, the day before Saratoga Springs is set to host The Belmont Stakes Racing Festival for the second time. From the Saratogian.
- Help Needed for the Mohsini Family!
An affordable apartment in downtown Saratoga was found for the Afghan family to move into on June 15.
Their small apartment needs to be furnished and stocked. The Saratoga Area Welcome Circle housing team, along with the Mohsinis, assessed their needs and created this list. Can you help? If you are able to donate any of the following items, please email Betty at boconnor@skidmore.org
Apartment Wish List
Full – double mattress – 2
Full platform bed frames, ideally with drawers below
Free standing unit for hanging clothes
Twin sheets and blankets
Full sheets and blankets – some sheets on hand
Small dressers – a couple dressers on hand
End tables for bedroom or living room
Lamps
Couch
Living room chairs depending on couch availability
Standing shelf unit to +t above toilet
Folding laundry/towel drying rack
Narrow table, under 32 “” wide for kitchen
Small wastebaskets
Trash cans for kitchen and kitchen garbage bags – dual compartment for trash and recycle?
Shelf liner for kitchen cabinets
Broom and dust pan
Pail and sponges – mop?
Dish towels and potholders
Silverware – set of 4 or 6
Plates and bowls – set of 4 or 6
Mugs
Soap, shampoo, dish detergent, laundry detergent, kitchen and bathroom cleaners
Toilet paper and paper towels
Cooking basics – salt, sugar, pepper, spices, olive oil
Kitchen storage con
- SARATOGA IMMIGRATION COALITION EMERGENCY FUND
As “mass deportation” rips workers out of our community and tears families apart, SIC has re-launched the GoFundMe site to receive donations to meet immediate needs of our immigrant neighbors, in small amounts, enough to pay for a month’s rent, weekly groceries, or other daily needs while longer-term solutions are sought. Referrals come from service providers and faith leaders at work in the community, who in many cases are already familiar with the circumstances of those in need. And the fund is designed to serve the community well known to SIC, primarily Saratoga, Washington and Warren Counties.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-saratoga-area-immigrants
or search for “Saratoga immigrants” on GoFundMe homepage https://www.gofundme.com/ .