Hello OSC family,
As you know, OSC has been assisting with sheltering and case managing the flood of asylum seekers entering our community every day. These migrants are being dumped by Customs and Border Protection at the Oceanside Transit Center several times per day over the past several weeks.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE OUR CALL TO ACTION TODAY
This is happening across the County has been officially deemed a humanitarian crisis. The scale is overwhelming to the small handful of local nonprofits working together to provide help, none of whom have the funding to keep these efforts going indefinitely. Our resources are stretched to the limit.
As always, OSC is dedicated to providing relief to people in need. Our faith compels us to do so, and we count ourselves as privileged to do so. Huge thanks go out to those of you who have already given your time to assist this effort (want to volunteer? Click here).
But the gospel compels us to offer more than relief; we must also vigorously advocate for policy solutions. Local, County, State, and Federal government agencies should be actively working for the well-being and dignity of all people in our community, including asylum seekers.
Simply dumping asylum seekers in our neighborhoods with no access to well-coordinated and funded programs of relief, resources, and assistance is morally unacceptable. It places these precious people — all of whom are fleeing life-threatening circumstances in their home countries — in danger of being victimized, trafficked, or becoming homelessness. It is a violation of the sacred image of every human being, regardless of their ethnicity, nationality, or religion.
TODAY WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PUSH FOR THE COUNTY TO DIRECT FUNDING TOWARD THESE EFFORTS
Tomorrow Tuesday Oct 10th, 9am The County Board of Supervisors will decide whether to allocate $3 million for humanitarian emergency supportive services for asylum seeking migrants (funding source: general purpose revenue).
We are asking you to send online comments before the meeting tomorrow morning.
If you’re willing to make a comment, here are the instructions:
Enter your first and last name
Select the position in SUPPORT of agenda item #14
Type your comments. Below is a sample script of comments for item #14
Sample comment
I am a member of The Oceanside Sanctuary Christian Church and I urge the Board of Supervisors to vote yes on the Board Letter introduced by Chair Vargas which will allocate $3 million to aid NGO’s in providing critical humanitarian assistance to people seeking asylum released onto the streets by the federal government. This critical work without funding or resources from the County is unsustainable and cannot continue. The County has a civic and moral obligation to act now.
We couldn’t be more proud of this congregation for stepping up and being part of the solution to this difficult situation. Thank you SO very much for your support and assistance.
Blessings,
Jenell & Jason Coker
Co-Lead Ministers