Well, my Spanish is getting better (not hard to do as it couldn't have gotten worse). Though it does still get very mixed up with the French, little Creole and even little Chichewa that is in there...but I can make myself understood...usually. and Google translate has been and will continue to be useful. The refugees we get mostly come from Immigration Detention. They are released to find their way to their family or friend or sponsor. They are release with very few belongings, the clothing they come in is usually sweatpants, blue tshirt, and flipflops that came from the detention center.
From the bus that drops them off, we take them into an intake room. We welcome them and let them know that they are free. They all have papers that tell them when their next meeting with immigration is, but now they are 'free'. Some still come with ankle bracelets and others have phones that are only for getting in touch with ICE. We let them know that they are free to leave us but if they do they cannot come back. This is since COVID. We test everyone and if they come up positive they (and family) are sent to a hotel to quarantine for 5 days. If negative, they can stay with us where we will help with phone calls, clean clothes, showers, beds, and transport to the airport or bus station.
I find it nerve racking to try to help with family phone calls but it is never as bad as I make it out to be. I have a script and we are all trying to be understood. And sometimes the person on the phone speaks English! After phone calls they go to the Dispensa where we have the bed rolls (cot cover, blanket and towel) for the cots in the dorm, tooth brush, tooth paste, deodorant, shave cream and razors, chap stick, feminine products, diapers, etc. Then we take them to the Roperia to get a change of clothes. Everyone is allowed one change of clothes so that we are assured to have enough for everyone. It is usually not exactly what they would want but it is clean.
Our meals are provided by the Salvation Army, basic but pretty good and very appreciated.
Once they have their tickets, we make sure they know when to meet to go to the shuttle and give them snack bags for their trip (and jackets if they are headed north to the COLD!) Some are able to make same day arrangements, others stay a night or two. Some stay longer, it all depends on what they need. There is so much gratitude for what we can do. It is a humbling experience.
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