Cheryl Blackford
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Stories from the Monastery: Easter Treats

4/21/2019

4 Comments

 
A photo of tables decorated with flowers and Easter treats.Monastery tables decorated for Easter.
The last couple of weeks at the monastery have been even more chaotic than usual - we have often had over 400 guests and for the first time we had to turn people away because we just didn't have any more space to put cots. We even ran out of clean linens so anyone available took home bags of Red Cross blankets to wash. The city has made a local recreation center available for the overflow but it's a less-than-ideal solution to the problem. But today is Easter Sunday and despite the chaos and the monumental task of keeping 400 people fed and housed, the kitchen volunteers wanted to do something special to celebrate the holy day. They asked for fresh flowers and treats for the children to be donated and the community provided. The volunteers turned the usually drab dining room into a bright welcoming space. Spread out along the tables were little cellophane packages of treats for children who haven't had much of anything for themselves in the past few weeks.

Photo of a vase of flowers.Volunteers brought lovely flower arrangements for the tables.
 I thought there might be fewer volunteers than usual this weekend as people gathered with their own families to celebrate, but no, the monastery was humming. Greyhound buses were still running and a steady stream of volunteers filled bags with snacks and took refugees to the bus station to catch their rides to their final destinations. They are so excited to be that much closer to seeing their relatives and beginning their new life. "Adios" one mother sang out to me. "Buena suerte" I replied. But she will need more than luck to be granted the asylum she seeks.

A fresh "intake" of asylum seekers were delivered to us by ICE this afternoon and four unusual visitors, local police officers, stopped by
. They were big and could have been an intimidating presence to asylum seekers who have been held in detention by people wearing uniforms, but they greeted our guests with reassuring smiles. One thanked me for the work I'm doing and then stayed to provide security in the parking lot. It made me think of the administration's "threat" to send asylum seekers to sanctuary cities. It's a laughable empty threat since I'm sure sanctuary cities would welcome these refugees, as Tucson has welcomed them.

a photo of Easter treats. Easter treats.
I brought a few Easter treats with me today - home-made macarons and the small foil-covered eggs you buy to put in Easter baskets. I handed the eggs out to any child I came across. At her mother's prompting, one little girl (about six years old) gave me a shy "thank you" in English. About five minutes later I saw her eating her egg. She had carefully peeled the foil half way down and was licking the egg, savoring every sweet taste, instead of popping it into her mouth and eating the whole thing at once. I couldn't help but think of all the children around the US today who went on Easter egg hunts or received baskets stuffed with chocolate and candy. These refugee children have so little that even one small egg brings tremendous pleasure. 

Disclaimer: The opinions in this blog are mine alone and do not represent an official Alitas account. Any mistakes are mine and mine alone. 

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4 Comments
Joy
4/22/2019 09:29:27 am

Thank you, Cheryl for the work you are doing. If there is something that a church in Mpls could collect and send...we’re on it. Please let us know.

Reply
Cheryl Blackford
4/24/2019 05:17:51 pm

Thank you Joy. We can always use cash donations to buy the everyday things we need (toiletries etc.). Here's a link to the official online donation page: https://www.ccs-soaz.org/donate/aid-to-migrant-women-and-children

If your church would prefer to send items we can always use granola bars, protein bars, trail mix, peanuts, M&Ms, apple sauce pouches, juice boxes and dry cereal (Cheerios etc.) for the travel bags we make up. For the bags themselves we can always use those cheap polyester drawstring backpacks (14x18 in) that you can buy in bulk.

We're always short of shoes and men's clothing (shirts, T shirts and pants) in small sizes. (Size 34 jeans are on the large side for our clientele who tend to be skinny and short!)

Donations can be sent to:
Alitas program,
c/o Catholic Community Services
140 W. Speedway, Blvd., Suite 130
Tucson, AZ 85705

Reply
Jackie Rust
4/23/2019 11:41:04 pm

I read your asylum blog. It's important.

Reply
Cheryl Blackford
4/24/2019 05:18:27 pm

Thanks Jackie.

Reply



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    Cheryl Blackford

    Children's fiction and non-fiction author. Lover of travel, hiking, and all things bookish.

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