Support for the immigrant community in northeast Denver and northwest Aurora comes in different forms—people volunteering time, donations, advocacy groups holding vigils, and non-profits continuing their work  while fearing a loss of funding.

On a cold evening in February, a group of people showed up at a gathering outside the GEO Aurora ICE (U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement) Processing Center in northwest Aurora to deliver cards, sing, and listen to the stories of those inside the facility. The “Love Knows No Borders, No Walls” event was held near Valentine’s Day—an annual tradition.

Retired teacher Theresa Cramer was at the vigil with her husband, Doug. “I’m just very concerned about our immigrant neighbors, and was just devastated after the [recent] ICE raids, and heard about the effects on a  school community next to the Cedar Run apartments,” Cramer said. “The parents called frantic and begged the teachers not to send the kids home until it was all over. Teachers stayed with those kids until like 5:30 in the afternoon.”

This wasn’t Cramer’s first time at the event. She and others take part often to show support for the people inside and voice their call for ICE to be disbanded.

The February vigil was presented by the American Friends Service Committee and The Center for Service Learning at Regis University, a program designed for students to act upon the issues that are most important to them.

Ashley Garcia Torres, a student, spoke to the crowd. “I really appreciate everyone being out here tonight as someone who has been affected by the separation of migration. I witnessed my father get arrested when I was in the sixth grade. It really means a lot to me to know there’s so many people who have not just cared but are willing to spend time in the freezing cold together.”

The crowd spilled over the sidewalk at the facility, not far from the Peoria RTD Station, singing along with the group NOENEMIES. A favorite song of a woman being held inside the detention center was sung as her husband held up his phone so she could hear.

On its website, ICE says that its mission is to “protect America through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to preserve national security and public safety.”

While some advocacy groups are working to influence public opinion and policy, non-profits are working to provide services.

Amanda Blaurock, executive director of the Village Exchange Center in northwest Aurora, was waiting for more than $5 million in federal funds that was promised to them when she spoke to Front Porch in mid-February. Last year, the non-profit served 60,000 people from 42 countries of origin. Blaurock says the loss of the money would be devastating. “We’re very nervous we’re not going to get the money and have to stop our programs.”

The center, which provides services such as food, vaccinations, job training, legal resources, and education, is located near the site of an immigration raid in February. Blaurock says they’ve been working with people who need to be rehoused and providing food and services.

Federal executive orders, Blaurock says, have “created a massive amount of chaos and fear amongst our  communities.” That fear, she says, has led to more food deliveries for families who are fearful of coming to the center. Delivery driver positions are being added to the list of volunteer opportunities along with direct services to individuals, and money.

“You have the main breadwinner who was just detained through this mass deportation process. Now you have families and children who don’t have money to pay for rent or basic needs. Maybe they want to be reunited back in Mexico, if that’s where the father went. There’s a need to support those individuals, both potentially with volunteer time and with financial support,” Blaurock says.

The Village Farms at Stanley, a farming project that serves the Village Exchange Center’s mission and is at the edge of Central Park, is also at risk. The farm relies on grants that are now uncertain. “Our entire program is funded by federal money, so we’re at risk of losing what I think is a huge gift for the Central Park community to have there,” she says.

The farm was moved in mid-February to a new location at the other end of the field adjacent to Stanley Marketplace due to the Westerly Creek water project. The hope is to build a platform and deck outside a trailer at the farm. Blaurock says they’ll be launching a fundraising campaign for the farm.

She’s also looking for new, more impactful ways to bring in funding and create awareness, including salons—hosted gatherings for purposeful conversations.

Blaurock says she’s amazed by the resilience of the people served by the non-profit.

“In the countries they come from, they tell me stories of the stuff that they have to do for their family. This is not the scariest thing that they’ve dealt with.”

Volunteers are needed and welcome at the Village Exchange Center. For drivers, the farm, or the pantry email volunteer@villageexchangecenter.org. For information about hosting a salon email  info@villageexchangecenter.org. Emergency funding: villageexchangecenter.org/programs/community-cares

More volunteer opportunities can be found HERE.

NOENEMIES Choir Practice

Sunday, March 2nd
Capitol Heights Presbyterian Church,1100 Fillmore St. 2–3:30pm.

The group NOENEMIES was first launched in 2014. It’s a movement choir for singers of all types (non-singers are also welcome.)

The group is a “space to re-engage with the transformative power of collective song—to experience how  singing together can impact our spirits as individuals, connect us in purpose as a community, and harness our power as a crowd.”

The current plan is to meet at 2pm the first Sunday of each month. Follow the group’s Facebook page for more dates and info: www.facebook.com/noenemiesden or email knowenemies@gmail.com.

Front Porch photos by Christie Gosch