The Immigrant Support Ministry (ISM) is a volunteer group with the Basilica of Saint Mary that assists refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.
Rooted in our Catholic faith, we assist by partnering with community organizations; fostering long-term relationships with our new neighbors in Minnesota; offering financial assistance and other support; and providing education and advocacy on behalf of those we serve.
How can I help immigrants in Minnesota?
Join a team
Circle of Welcome and Accompaniment Teams
Circle of Welcome Teams and Accompaniment Teams work directly with refugees and asylees. Circle of Welcome Teams offer guidance and support to refugee families as they build new lives in our community. Accompaniment Teams walk with and support families seeking asylum in Minnesota.
Teams are groups of four to six volunteers paired with a family. Required trainings are offered for both teams. The Basilica partners with Advocates for Human Rights and Community Sponsorship Hub to be paired with families. (We are thankful for the past partnership with Lutheran Social Services who is no longer able to assist due to a loss of funding.)
The Basilica has welcomed twenty-two families to Minnesota since early 2016 and is preparing to welcome more. Our Circle of Welcome and Accompaniment Teams make it possible.
Immigrant Support Ministry Stories
This map illustrates where the families have traveled from. Zoom in and click on a line on the map to learn about each family, or click the arrow in the map's menu bar to access all the stories.
The Education & Advocacy Team plans thought-provoking presentations on immigration issues to educate our community, including film nights and hosting guest speakers.
We also act on Catholic Social Teaching to advocate for immigrants through legislative lobbying, acting as prayer witnesses at Immigration and Customs Enforcement sites, and participating in trips to the U.S. southern border to meet with deportees.
Attend an ISM meeting
Not sure about joining a team just yet? Attend our monthly meetings to learn more about the ISM’s mission and activities. Email Glen Boerboom, ISM committee chair, or Janice Andersen, the Basilica’s director of Christian Life, for more information.
Donate money, goods, time or talents
Donate to St. Vincent de Paul
Funding is raised through the Basilica St. Vincent de Paul ministry to help families, including those supported by the Basilica ISM. These funds have supported families with basic living expenses for one year, including rent, furniture, food, household items, clothing, transportation, education, and health needs.
Attend a prayer vigil
Stand in prayer and solidarity with immigrant detainees the second Tuesday of each month, 7:30-8:30 a.m., at the Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling. This hour of prayer and song is hosted by ICOM and a rotating group of faith communities, including the Basilica. Learn more on ICOM’s website.
Donate clothing
Please donate clothing to the Minneapolis St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store or Central Lutheran's Free Store (located at 333 S 12th Street) or the St. Olaf Catholic Church (located at 215 S 8th Street.)
Donate furniture
Please donate furniture to Bridging or the Minneapolis St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
Donate household items
Please donate other items (such as trash cans/wastebaskets, silverware drawer organizers, etc) needed to set up homes for the refugees to the Minneapolis St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store.
Seeking writers, storytellers
Do you have experience as a writer or telling stories through video, audio or online mediums? Donate your time to help the ISM share the team’s experiences with the wider community.
Frequently asked questions: Joining Circle of Welcome or Accompaniment Teams
How much time will this take?
Circle of Welcome and Accompaniment team members make one-year commitments.
Weekly commitments depend on the size of the family and size of the team. Team members typically spend more time with families at the beginning, because there are more things to take care of that take bigger chunks of time.
Once major items like housing, school, and job are settled, it’s normal to spend at least a couple hours a week with families.
What do Circle of Welcome and Accompaniment Teams do?
Read more specifics about each type of team:
Learn More About Circle of Welcome Teams
Learn More About Accompaniment Teams
Will I need to drive the family?
Often, yes. The Immigrant Support Ministry is the only Basilica ministry that drives the people we work with. Team members may help with driving to places like school conferences, doctors appointments, dentist appointments, job interviews, and grocery stores.
Part of the role is to help families learn to use public transportation. If finances are available, some teams have helped refugees prepare for drivers tests and find vehicles.
What kind of training will I get?
Community Sponsorship Hub provides training.
The Basilica also provides training.
Safe environment training is also required.
Reach out if you have more questions on the training offered.
Will I have support?
Yes.
Both Circle of Welcome and Accompaniment teams have coordinators, who have years of experience with this ministry and have learned about available resources over time. Coordinators also communicate with the wider team when a need arises, so we’re able to tap into the cumulative experience of the entire ministry group.
The Basilica is also a source of support, with staff members actively involved in the ministry. Financial support for families comes from the Basilica.
How do we communicate with our families?
At least one person in most families has a phone, and they are generally familiar with WhatsApp. If one family member has some understanding of English, you can also text and make calls.
If family members aren’t yet comfortable with English, teams have communicated using Google Translate and other translation apps. Translators can be requested for doctors appointments, dentist appointments, school meetings, and occasionally other situations.
Will I need a background check?
Yes. Team members are required to go through background checks with the Basilica. Since team members drive the people we work with, team members must also submit their driving record and insurance information.
I want to get involved, but I don’t think I have enough time to commit to joining a Circle of Welcome or Accompaniment team. How can I help?
Please talk to us about the time and talents you do have.
We have some team members who perform very specific tasks – for instance, one team member loves to tutor kids when it’s needed.
We also can always use attorneys who are willing to donate their time.
Other tasks sometimes come up, like helping with moving, welcoming people at the airport, or finding furniture. Get in touch and we’ll talk!
Writers:
Dorene W. is a member of the Immigrant Support Ministry and coordinator of the Circle of Welcome Teams that work with refugees.
Amanda K., communications volunteer with the Immigrant Support Ministry. Amanda and her family have been Basilica members since 2011, and she has been involved with several ministries in that time.
Learn more about how you can help at mary.org/refugee-immigration-ministry/.
Global Solidarity Partnership
The Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis has a formal partnership with the diocese of Kitui, Kenya. This partnership was formed in 2004 in response to the US Catholic Bishops’ document, “A Call to Solidarity with Africa.”
The Partnership Mission Statement, written by teams in Kitui and Minnesota, defines the relationship as existing “in recognition of our communion in the Body of Christ for the mutual sharing of our faith, our experiences, our cultures and our resources – gifts to us from God.” Rooted in mutuality, the solidarity partnership provides opportunities for building relationships, strengthening faith, and sharing resources through many shared activities and projects.
In 2024, the partnership will celebrate its 20-year anniversary. To commemorate this milestone, in the fall of 2024 delegates from Kitui, Kenya will travel to the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. They will encounter local Catholics, parishes, and liturgies and continue to build relationships—cornerstones of the partnership over the last two decades.
The Basilica has been asked to help welcome the delegates. We are excited for this opportunity to connect and learn from them—joining in worship, breaking bread, visiting our city, and sharing our life together.
Questions? Please Contact:
Janice Andersen
Director of Christian Life
Janice Andersen has been on staff at The Basilica of Saint Mary since 1994, working with programs…
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