Enero 12, 2024

This update will not come close to telling you all that is going on in getting the shelter up and running. First, It is important for me to acknowledge that a number of people are being generous with their time, with information, and with resources. Just in the last three weeks about a dozen ex-pats have pitched in with a. meetings (2 three-hour meetings about organization of many types of volunteers), b. two brand new toilets, and someone to help tote them around, c. about 125 kilos of canned food (no, we are not ready for more yet) d. donations (no, we still are not formally askingfor them), e. an offer to put us in a will (but we unfortunately weren’t an IAP yet), f. links to local activism that is already underway – especially for helping families that are broken up by deportation, and g. lots of verbal encouragement from those who want to know how it is going and to volunteer (e.g., with fund-raising).

UNICEF still didn’t bring the bunk-beds. If we don’t have them by Tuesday, we intend to go another direction.

Headway:

1. We have now registered our IAP (official charitable status) with state government – copy attached. We must now clear it through the SAT so that we can have an RFC and a bank account, hire our accountant, and receive Mexican tax-deductible gifts.

2. Our comodato is signed. We are in complete control of the property for 20 years, rent-free. The church is the grantor of the lease.

3. We have had formal meetings, at the shelter site with officials from: Instituto Nacional de Migration (federal), Secretaría del Migrante (state), the Fiscalia (state prosecutors), Caritas (church), UNICEF (United Nations, they are re-promising bunk beds, which got diverted from us last time), ACNUR (United Nations for refugees), and the Junta de Asistencia Privada (state, which will always coach and oversee us as a charitable institute). We have also met with the head of the state Secretaría de Salud and the national head of ACNUR. All have been very encouraging. They want us to get underway ASAP, and we want them to help us and collaborate well. We will be signing convenios with most, probably all. One photo attached.

Will have organized volunteer program. Will start fund-raising (through local account and through gofundme). I cannot yet give you a thumbnail projection of income/outgo. Next week we will get a two-day training from experts (about migrant shelters) coming in from Mexico City. More soon. Clay

Agosto 27, 2023

Update on Morelia Migrant Shelter

Will try to keep this short, but answer the questions you’ll have.

1. Thieves stole our copper wiring. We fixed it, but are now short on funds to install the interior doors, install some kitchen items, and put up the solar water heater. We need US $2,790 more. [This amount, plus US $1,845 that we had received on gofundme more than a month ago, equals the US $4,635 you see as a total new goal on the gofundme page.] To donate, go to:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/almost-done-part-1-morelias-migrant-shelter

Gofundme only gets 2.9% (essentially, that’s what they pay the credit card clearer). This will be MUCH easier. The money you donate goes to my account, and I deposit it with Movilidad Humana here in Morelia. The church doesn’t keep one penny on this project. 

2. After that, for our operating budget, to run from Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, we intend to turn to government, church, and NGO sources. A bare-bones budget, assuming 25 migrants every night, will be between 38-50 thousand pesos per month (food, gas, water, electricity, director, cook, security). We are working hard to knock on the right doors at the right times. I follow what Pedro, Javier, and Olga tell me to do on this count; timing is everything.

3. We DO have plans for how volunteers and ongoing donors of goods will be organized, but there is much detail to be worked out. Many of you have been powerfully involved for years; you will continue to be needed and welcomed.

4. Pedro, Javier, Andrea Michelle, and many others (locals and ex-pats) are solving IMPORTANT new elements constantly. UNICEF has officially signed on for bunk beds, bedding, and several other items. We are approaching various government and international aid agencies. Officially, the shelter will be independent (with a strong link to Movilidad Humana of the church), and a permanent rental (free) contract for the land and building from the church. The shelter will be una Institución de Asistencia Privada (IAP), giving us tax-free status and giving our donors tax deductible advantages in Mexico and in the US.

5. In the photos, you can see the gathering we had on August 19. There were 35 people total. The directors group (which also includes Miguel and Pantoja, who contribute plenty and seldom miss a meeting) meets every week for intense 2-3 hour sessions and all of its members are putting in hours each week. Andrea Michelle is the full-time secretary, working for Movilidad Humana. No one else is paid.

6. I will meet you at the site, or take you there, pretty much ANYTIME. Just ask. Probably Pedro and Javier and others will meet us there also. 

Gracias compas. Clay

June 23, 2023

Dear Friends,

Your part in the new immigrant shelter has been crucial, including the couple of you who have been encouraging but could not pitch in right now.

We are close to our goal of 350,000 pesos from ex-pats living in Michoacán. It goes well:

In cash: 91,000 pesos

Deposits: 153,000

Total donated thus far: 244,000

This 244,000 pesos came at a perfect time.. We are spending it regularly and wisely (I keep detailed books). Before we started this campaign, the first 245,000 pesos was raised by the people of the San Juan Bosco parish, but the well was running dry. Your donations have made construction march forward. 

Your money has gone for block, concrete and flooring, electrical supplies, lots of aluminum framing, plumbing supplies, and to pay workers. We still have money (38,000 pesos) for two more weeks. With the final 106,000 pesos, Unit One, which will hold 25 people, will be finished. This week we have put in floors in the second big bathroom and the kitchen, and installed aluminum divider doors for the bathroom toilets.

We still need to raise 106,000 pesos more, so if you or friends want to contribute, please contact me.

There are useful details in the section below my signature. During the last eight weeks we have advanced a lot, and learned more on how to open the shelter. We are still helping migrants – presently four Haitians and one Honduran, but not at the site. Beyond construction, our key group tasks are: securing permanently funding for ongoing operation, hiring staff, registering our Civil Society with the SAT, and developing internal rules.

THE FACT THAT WE NOW HAVE LAND AND A GREAT NEW BUILDING HAS GIVEN THIS TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM. THANK YOU! 

COME SEE THE NEW SHELTER (NEAR BUS STATION). NOW! I HAVE A KEY AND A CAR. 

Clay

A Permanent, Quality Migrant Shelter in Morelia

The 1st in Morelia

A collaborative project of Civil Society, Local Government, and Catholic Church (Movilidad Humana). We are getting significant input from Caritas, the Secretaría del Migrante, and Migration, to name a few entities. The thrust and leadership of this effort is local, but the leaders are allowing ex-pats, as migrants, to have some participation.

Mission:

To receive and protect, care for and comfort, with warmth and quality, people who are migrating; to promote, above all, human dignity and respect for human rights.

Vision:

To be a civil organization that helps with the basic necessities of migrants, applying criteria of human dignity and promoting social co-responsibility, by means of our links with various associations and organizations.

Goals:

• Build a new migrant shelter to house up to 100 migrants per night for temporary stays of 1-5 nights
• Provide clean and safe facility that includes beds, bathrooms, social area, kitchen serving healthy meals, outdoor social area, laundry, security (for everyone, especially women and vulnerable populations), and internet access
• Link migrants to other civic, governmental, and church services such as Caritas, Migración, Secretaría del Migrante, DIF, and health care
• Assist migrants to self-advocate in the process of immigration. We do not manage them or direct them. These individuals are making their own plans with our support

Current status:

• Established a lead team of directors.  The directors are visiting other shelters.
• Submitting application to the government to become a Civil Society that can receive tax-deductible contributions
• Obtained the land at an excellent, safe location within 2 kilometers of the bus station
• Collected MX$488,000 on a goal of MX$594,000 for the first module from the local community.  MX$244,000 of the money collected has been from the Morelia ex-pat community
• Renovation has advanced beautifully on two existing concrete buildings. We are close to completing the first module, to house two dormitories for 25 persons, bathrooms, and kitchen.
• Composing drafts of internal guidelines and job descriptions of staff
• Establishing sustainability plan
• Assisting groups of migrants in Morelia with food, housing, documents, and work
• Establishing relationships with migrant groups such as:  Venezuelans, Cubans, Haitians, Peruvians, Ecuadorians, Salvadorans, and potentially more.

What is needed to complete the first module:

• Bathroom Fixtures (especially five 5,000 pesos toilets
• Two Tinacos and Solar Heater
• Internal and 2 External Doors
• Internal Aluminum Structures
• Electrical Wiring
• Furniture and Appliances – UNICEF Application Pending

To Make a Donation:

To make a cash donation, contact Clay Slate – clayjrslate@gmail.com

To make a bank transfer donation:  Please write Clay Slate – clayjrslate@gmail.com to request account information.