Semi-Annual Report
Winter-Spring 2019
Dedicated to our sister, friend, and mentor
DEBORAH COHEN
DEBORAH COHEN
We are NorCal Resist:
NorCal Resist is a grassroots movement that organizes community members to build infrastructure against oppression and empowering them through shared resources and support. We are working on making a positive impact in our communities while fighting injustice. We host educational events, trainings, organize actions, and maintain a variety of resources, and programs that provide support to all who need it (e.g., free brake light clinics, community fix-it events, Know Your Rights and Legal Observing trainings, etc.)
Community SupportThe foundation of our work is to provide meaningful support to marginalized communities that find themselves particularly vulnerable under the current federal administration, while teaching them to organize and mobilize their communities to claim their power.
ICE (Migra) Observer & Know Your Rights Trainings
NorCal Resist provides free immigrant rights trainings, workers’ rights trainings, and legal observing trainings.
ICE observers may be dispatched by the Sacramento Area Congregations Together local ICE hotline when possible ICE activity is reported. The ICE observers gather documentation that may be helpful in future legal proceedings, and ensures that ICE and local law enforcement follow our local and state sanctuary laws and ordinances. To set up a training for your organization, school, or faith group, please contact us at norcalresist@gmail.com |
NorCal Resist in Action 2019
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Helping our asylum seeking & undocumented community, one ride at a time...
Provided rides to:
Other Services provided
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Sponsors, Housing, & Accompaniment for Asylum Seekers
NorCal Resist assists asylum seekers who are in detention find sponsors, housing, and accompaniment once released.
Many asylum seekers do not have family in the US or family cannot provide sponsorship, which may cause them to spend months or years in detention, and possibly representing themselves in their asylum proceedings without the vital support of an attorney. This is especially true for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, who often leave their home country to escape persecution and violence. NorCal Resist hosts /sponsors help free someone from the inhumane conditions in ICE detention, and connect them with legal representation and our community of support (our “accompaniment network”). Please contact us at norcalresist@gmail.com if you are interested in hosting an asylum seeker, have access to an unused space that can be converted into a temporary home for asylum seekers, or would like to set up an accompaniment training. |
Community Aid
Our community aid programs provide direct, no-cost aid to those who need assistance. These programs include our brake light repair clinics, home fix-it projects, and our border trips.
Brake Light Clinics
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NorCal Resist hosts free brake light clinics in our most marginalized communities. In 2019, five brake light clinics have been held in Sacramento. We have also joined the Oak Park Fix-It Café – where we will provide repairs the third Saturday of each month.
5 brake light clinics = 144 cars fixed Savings of $3600 from potential fix-it tickets |
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Home Fix-It Project
Norcal Resist provides a free home fix-it program that provides repair services to individuals who cannot afford to make the repairs themselves. Our program provides assistance repairing or maintaining small appliances, yards, fences, minor plumbing and electrical issues, and other items.
We have assisted six families with various home repairs that were too expensive or difficult for them to do, including fixing a wheelchair ramp, cutting trees, shrubs, mowing grass, cleaning the roof, fixing fences and appliances. |
Border Trips
NorCal Resist has been at the forefront of assisting our brothers and sisters travelling in the Caravans from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala searching for asylum in the US.
NorCal Resist has sent 3 teams of attorneys, medical professionals, and community members to assist at the medical clinic at Enclave Caracol (Tijuana), the legal clinic at Al Otro Lado (Tijuana), and San Diego Rapid Response Network shelter. |
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Abuelas RespondenNorCal Resist is honored to be a community partner with Abuelas Responden/Grannies Respond. Abuelas Responden/Grannies Respond Sacramento is a local chapter of volunteers who greet and provide basic aid to asylum seekers passing through the local Greyhound station in Sacramento. NorCal Resist is committed to providing volunteers, donations, and other support to ensure that their work is sustained for the long term.
The Abuelas provide hot meals, snacks and hygiene products, throw blankets, clothing, and small toys, coloring supplies, etc. for children and teens. Travelers come from Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, and are often traveling east towards Reno, west towards San Francisco, or north to Oregon or Washington. |
Between April 1, 2019 - June 11 2019
85 Family units served = 206 individual travelers, half of whom were minors.
85 Family units served = 206 individual travelers, half of whom were minors.
Commit to Fit
Commit to Fit is our exercise program at Yolo County Juvenile Detention Center (Center). The Center is contracted through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to house unaccompanied, undocumented minors. Commit to Fit provides the youth at the Center an opportunity to play sports and engage in exercise.
We held 9 Commit to Fit sessions in the first half of 2019. One of those sessions was a barbeque/taquiza for the youth, funded through generous donations from the Nevada County Women’s Democratic Club.
We held 9 Commit to Fit sessions in the first half of 2019. One of those sessions was a barbeque/taquiza for the youth, funded through generous donations from the Nevada County Women’s Democratic Club.
Financial Assistance & Bond/Bail Fund
NorCal Resist is committed to helping our asylum seeking and activist community with financial assistance for bond/bail.
In 2019, Norcal Resist assisted two community members pay bond in order to free them from ICE detention. Our ability to help pay bonds continues to be limited due to our limited financial resources. Our goal is to increase our ability to assist with ICE bonds.
We held a number of fundraisers, including a yard sale, a yoga class, and have circulated online ‘Gofundme’ fundraisers for numerous families attempting to pay an immigration bond.
This is an ongoing need, and we are interested in hearing from our allies and supporters about creative ways we can fundraise!
In 2019, Norcal Resist assisted two community members pay bond in order to free them from ICE detention. Our ability to help pay bonds continues to be limited due to our limited financial resources. Our goal is to increase our ability to assist with ICE bonds.
We held a number of fundraisers, including a yard sale, a yoga class, and have circulated online ‘Gofundme’ fundraisers for numerous families attempting to pay an immigration bond.
This is an ongoing need, and we are interested in hearing from our allies and supporters about creative ways we can fundraise!
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In Memory of Deborah Cohen
NorCal Resist is honored to say that Debbie Cohen was our friend, ally, and mentor. From our inception, Debbie became our strongest ally to help stop the abuse of the current presidential administration and protect our migrant families.
Debbie Cohen PRESENTE!!! Rest in Power Chingona!!!
Debbie Cohen PRESENTE!!! Rest in Power Chingona!!!
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