Make Comfort Bags for Unaccompanied Minors
Youth ages 10 to 17 are coming to the United States alone in search of asylum, fleeing dangerous situations and often arriving with nothing. You can give them the essentials to help them acclimate to life with a guardian in Arizona. Donations are needed of the following:
Hygiene supplies: shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush, body wash, washcloth, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, hair accessories (optional)
School supplies: two notebooks, two folders, black or blue pens, pencils, eraser
Personal comfort item, for example: blanket (homemade or store bought), cozy socks, small game (like a card game or art supplies). As a reminder, most of the minors are teens.
Card of encouragement in English or Spanish
A backpack
You can make a complete Comfort Bag for a teen or donate any assortment of the items separately for other volunteers to package. All donations will be given to asylum seekers and their sponsors in Arizona.
Donations can be dropped off at the Phoenix office, 2502 E. University Dr., Suite #125 Mondays - Thursdays from 10am - 1pm.
Donations can be dropped off at the Tucson office, 1231 N. Norris Ave on Thursdays from 10am - 4pm.
What is Safe Release?
The Safe Release Support program is in partnership with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) to provide care for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum. Before unaccompanied minors can be released from ORR custody, a sponsor needs to be identified and cleared with background checks. Safe Release assists sponsors in completing fingerprints and preparing them to receive an unaccompanied minor in their home. The minor will stay with their sponsor to await court proceedings on their asylum case.
Who sponsors unaccompanied minors?
Sponsors are designated as caregivers of the child seeking asylum. These are usually a relative, like a parent, grandparent, older sibling, aunt or uncle, or a cousin. In some cases, unaccompanied minors are placed with more distant relatives or an unrelated Godparent. Most of the minors who arrive are between the ages of 12-17.
What are some common challenges?
Many caregivers have little understanding of the Family Reunification process, and come to the Safe Release program with questions and uncertainty. They may have confusion about the role of the agency, about the interactions with the federal government, may have never met the child that will be entering their care, and are sometimes quite young themselves. Safe Release staff provide guidance, reassurance, and resources to prepare them for the journey ahead as a caregiver for the child they are sponsoring.
how do these comfort bags help?
Unaccompanied minors typically come to the US with nothing besides the clothes on their back. The caregiver who is sponsoring them usually has been given short notice that they will be caring for a child in their home, and do not have the supplies they need for the child to be comfortable and have the resources to attend school and other programs. Comfort bags are cherished possessions for youth seeking asylum and help them to feel welcome and safe.
What else can I do?
Your prayerful and financial support is welcome. Families being reunited through the Safe Release support program experience incredible challenges along the process. If you are interested in finding other volunteer opportunities to support refugees and asylum seekers in Arizona, click here.