There are some really amazing people in San Diego. Quietly and without much fanfare, groups of volunteers, non-profit leaders, and members of the faith community have united to do something incredible – give their time, energy, and hearts to those who need it most.
After asylum seekers coming from Central America are detained by border patrol, their cases processed, and court dates set, they’re largely on their own. They need to figure out where to stay – and how to get to the location of their court date, which is usually hundreds if not thousands of miles away.
Enter everyday people in San Diego. Fueled by volunteers and scrappy grassroots organizations, makeshift shelters have popped up to provide a sanctuary.
One such shelter takes in hundreds of new people every night. Every day brings new challenges. But something was missing – a place just for kids.
Moms are arriving at the shelter with their children. But because they needed all the room they could get for cots, a play area for the little ones had gone by the wayside.
“In our old facility we had a room filled with toys just for the kids,” said one community organizer. “It’s so important for families to have a place for their children to feel safe and cared for. It brings peace of mind to the parents too.”
That was a problem we could help solve.
With permission from the organizers, we cleared out just a few cots to make way for a small play area, filled with games, toys, books, soccer balls, building blocks, and a soft spot to play.
“This will really mean a lot to everyone,” said a volunteer. “It makes us feel better knowing that this little piece of joy exists for all who come here.”
