5
er 30, 2014
ommunities:
nce immigrant populations
Texas Division serves immigrant young people and families
McAllen, Texas
The Salvation Army in McAllen, Texas, has
partnered with other organizations, churches
and local government in a humanitarian effort
brought about by an influx of thousands
of immigrant families and unaccompanied
youth earlier this year. Alvin Migues, director
of Emergency Disaster Services in the Texas
Division, said, “There are a number of challenges
continuing to present themselves, centered
around this complex issue. The most prevalent
seems to be proper legal representation and
advocacy for the families and children involved.
“We continue to be a part of the planning
process bringing attention to this and other
concerns but for the most part we are providing
for shelter, hydration and nutrition. Our work
is continuing in Texas, mainly in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley.” It includes:
Total volunteers: 387
Total volunteer hours: 3,158
Total meals served soup: 14,419
Total meals provided for travel: 4,643
“We have also, in conjunction with
AmeriCares, purchased two temporary shel ters
to provide lodging for the refugees who find
themselves staying overnight in McAllen,” said
Migues. “We anticipate continuing to provide
these services at a minimum through the end of
this year.”
El Paso, Texas
Major Mike Morton, area commander in El
Paso, said the El Paso command fed two meals
a day to 25 unaccompanied minors who were in
custody of border patrol through May 2014 until
feeding services were no longer needed. Also,
600 sets of clothes were provided for immigrants
who underwent detox for lice, scurvy and
tuberculosis. El Paso’s Salvation Army Family
Center Shelter housed two families and helped
another get to relatives in California.