Page 30 - Sonoma County Gazette 11-17

New Fund to Help Undocumented Immigrants Affected by Sonoma County Fires
A coalition of immigrant service providers and advocates have launched the UndocuFund for Fire Relief in Sonoma County to provide direct assistance to undocumented Sonoma County residents who are victims of the Northern California res. One hundred percent of all donations will go to victim support, with the rst $50,000 in donations to be matched by The California Wellness Foundation.
At a time when media outlets from around the state and country were covering the wild res in Sonoma County, KBBF emerged as the only radio station providing live information 24/7 in Spanish. Listeners not only heard breaking news about the res, containment, and
1:1 Match for First $50,000 in Donations
The UndocuFund is a project of the Graton Day Labor Center, North
Bay Organizing Project, North Bay Jobs with Justice. The organizations
are also coordinating their response e orts through the fund partnership. Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, a national nonpro t headquartered in Sebastopol, will serve as the scal agent for the fund and will cover all administrative costs with the other fund partners. Community partners include California Human Development, Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County, Industrial Workers of the World, Latino Service Providers, Los Cien Sonoma County, and VIDAS (Vital Immigrant Defense Advocacy and Services).
Volunteers began researching, translating, and relaying vital stories on the air. Alicia Sanchez, President of KBBF’s Board of Directors, shared, “We were live from Monday [October 9th], when this tragedy happened.” This coverage was made even more necessary when cell phone towers were down and power was out.
An estimated 28,000 undocumented children and adults live and work
in Sonoma County. Many lost their homes and belongings in the Northern California res, and others have lost jobs or businesses. Unlike other victims, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Their lack of immigration status, limited English pro ciency, and fear of immigration enforcement also impede their access to disaster-relief services, even when they are eligible. Lack
of familiarity or comfort with law enforcement, county departments, and nancial institutions are additional barriers.
As people were displaced from their homes and seeking shelter and other resources, KBBF volunteers transitioned into reporting stories with the people and places making a di erence. Reporters interviewed the Mexican Consulate, Congressman Jared Hu man, representatives of CALFIRE, Napa County Supervisor Belia Ramos, Sonoma County representatives, and o cials at shelters and service centers.
With a mission to provide direct support to undocumented children, families, and communities a ected by the res in Sonoma County, the UndocuFund will be overseen by a local community advisory committee, including impacted undocumented immigrants, who will review assistance requests and make funding decisions. The UndocuFund will provide assistance to pay for such basics as rent and groceries, among other needs.
During this time of crisis, it has been key that KBBF share news about
relief services and resources of particular importance to the area’s vulnerable immigrant communities. Edgar Avila, the station’s Director of Programming, described how “People are afraid to go to Red Cross shelters because they
are afraid they will be deported. We’re trying to get help to people who are afraid...” In addition, KBBF sought out information supporting people in the LGBT community and featured coverage in Mixteco, an indigenous language of southern Mexico spoken by many people in Sonoma County.
“Undocumented immigrants, as much as any other member of our communities, deserve support and compassion during these catastrophic res, the worst in California’s history,” said Judy Belk, President and CEO
of The California Wellness Foundation. “The UndocuFund will provide these vulnerable members of our community with direct assistance to help them recover, rebuild, and continue contributing to the vitality of Sonoma County.”
The station o ces at Corby Avenue in Santa Rosa also became a community resource. In an interview on October 17th, Sanchez urged everyone to come
to the station to get their facemasks so as to reduce exposure to hazardous air conditions. She reminded them, “We also want to hear your stories. You can call and tell us your stories, what you are feeling – and it will help the people so much.” When people responded to her call for comments, some told her that KBBF was the only place they felt they could go and be safe.
“The res have been devastating for everyone in Sonoma County. Our undocumented community members and their families are not only dealing with losses of property and income, but from the fear that seeking help will lead to deportation. This fund will help some of the most vulnerable members of our community get back on their feet,” said Ana Lugo, president of the North Bay Organizing Project.
One ray of hope in the wake of so much tragedy is the launching of UndocuFund for Fire Relief in Sonoma County. Formed by a coalition of immigrant service providers and advocates, the UndocuFund will provide direct assistance to undocumented victims of the Northern California res who lost their homes, belongings, and livelihoods. The California Wellness Foundation will match the rst 50,000 dollars in donations, all of which go to the victims. The fund’s partners will cover all administrative costs.
Donations to support Sonoma County’s undocumented children, families, and communities can be made online at www.UndocuFund.org. Checks can be made payable and mailed to UndocuFund for Fire Relief, c/o GCIR, P.O. Box 1100, Sebastopol, California 95473-1100. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Sanchez has been moved by how the station’s volunteers and listeners became resources for one another during a time of crisis. She shared, “I am amazed at the level of love that this community shows for each other. The community has come together and together we are going to give each other hope and strength to conquer this.”
evacuations, but also more in-depth information and interviews from people on the front lines and impacted areas.
In turn, the station elded calls and questions from thousands of community members. They shared their experiences, described conditions in their areas, and asked how to get help.
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