Norwalk Undocumented Immigrant Community Fund

This project is to give monetary support to undocumented folks in Norwalk CT. Since the pandemic undocumented people in CT have been given little help both at the state and the federal level. Federally, undocumented people were not entitled to the $1200 check. At the state level, CT has created two programs one that is $1 million dollars that gives gift cards to some undocumented families; and another of $2.5 million Housing program which provides rental assistance to undocumented tenants. However, these programs only cover a few immigrant families. There are still major needs for undocumented families that are being unmet by our government. What we desire is to crowdfund on a grassroots level to meet our needs. 

Every week our organization attempts to meet at least some of the need in our undocumented community. At our Food Distribution events  we hand out surveys asking about their situation. These are the results: 

• 80% of those who have filled out the survey state that they are unemployed

• 96%of those who are unemployed are women

• 33% say rent assistance is needed

And ALL of our members  say they need other forms of assistance such as with medical bills, electricity, food, clothes, and other necessities.

• People in our community will fill out a Google Form Application so that people can list their names and the amount needed for their family or themselves. 
  • The applications will be open from November 16 until December 16th. 
• Once we have the amount crowdfunded these funds will be distributed to these families either through check or gift card depending on the amount requested by the applicant.

We are doing this project in order to create the community we want to see in which all people regardless of migratory status are cared for and supported. We believe that we can support each other during this pandemic. Although our crowdfunding goal is small we hope to use this amount to distribute to families who do not qualify for health insurance;  who cannot pay for medicine out of pocket;  those that need support to pay for electricity and wifi bills; clothes for the winter; and to give support for other things that the state simply cannot or will not cover for undocumented families.