This event has already occurred
Slideshow image
Save to your Calendar

**Drop your cards at our Donation Center located in the lower level of Faith Lutheran! 

Join Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services program: Hope for the Holidays

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 

With the help of their amazing partners and communities, LIRS is able to help refugee and immigrant families. Last year alone, they sent gifts to over 500 children held in the two immigration detention centers and the children served through our Children and Family Service Partners. Your contribution will help send messages of hope and joy during this holiday season. LIRS is the only national non-profit organization that has this special partnership with the family detention centers. Each year, they are given access to the number of young children who are being held in detention over the holiday season. With that information, they are able to hand-select gifts like books, journals, art supplies, and soccer balls.

Last year over 16,000 cards were distributed to migrant families in detention centers across the country, as well as to individuals and families who were recently released from detention.

WRITE HOLIDAY CARDS FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH:

Write messages of hope and encouragement in English and Spanish on holiday cards (see Spanish messages below for inspiration). Draw a picture or share your favorite poem, quote, or Bible verse to personalize the card. Sign the card (first name and city/state). DO NOT put cards in individual envelopes. 

Drop off your cards at Faith Lutheran Church, 2116 Mineral Point, Janesville or send them to Barb Becker at 2018 N Sumac Dr, Janesville 53545.   The Deadline to drop off cards is Nov. 30.
Barb will collect all the cards and send them to the LIRS regional distribution site.

IMPORTANT FACTS AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT FAMILY DETENTION: 

Since 2014, family detention has increased by 4,000%. There are more than 2,000 beds in detention centers for mothers and children seeking safety in America. 
Family detention can cost up to nearly $319.37 per person per day. Successful and secure community-based alternatives to detention exist for a mere fraction of that amount. 
An estimated 90% of families in immigration detention seek protection from violence and persecution, which means they should be treated as refugees. 
As of September 13, there are over 23,000 people being held in ICE detention facilities. 77.2% of ICE immigrant detainees have no criminal record. 
While the number of people being held in immigration detention has fallen since 2019, the number of people enrolled in “Alternative to Detention” programs has skyrocketed. 124,054 people are monitored through ICE ATD programs. These programs practice inhumane and invasive surveillance methods such as ankle monitors and GPS tracking.


SAMPLE GREETINGS IN SPANISH 
Spanish words ending in “@”: @ - Gender Neutral * a - Female * o - Male 

Dear friend,                         Querid@ amig@: 

Greetings from [city/state]. My name is [name].     Saludos desde [city/state]. Me llamo
     [name]. 

Merry Christmas.                     Feliz Navidad. 

Please know that you are not alone nor forgotten.     Quiero que sepa que no está sol@, 
ni olvidad@. 

I am praying for you and your family. I am also fighting for justice for you and your family, and for all our brothers and sisters who leave their countries in search of a better life.         

Rezo por usted y su familia. También lucho por justicia para usted y su familia y para todos nuestros hermanos y hermanas que dejan su país en busca de una vida mejor. 

Please know that thousands of people are working to keep you and your family safe. You are not forgotten.

Miles de personas están trabajando para cuidar a su familia y a usted. No los hemos olvidado. 

Never forget that we are praying and fighting for you and your family. 

Recuerde siempre que estamos orando y luchando por su familia y usted. 

God's blessings and peace at Christmas and for the New Year. 

Bendiciones de Dios y paz en Navidad y para el Año Nuevo. 

May God bless you!                         ¡Que Dios l@ bendiga!