Funds available for nonprofits, agencies to be reimbursed for cost of migrant surge
$110 million in funds available through Emergency Food and Shelter Program
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SAN ANTONIO – The migrant surge has come at a cost to the communities, nonprofits and agencies that have been helping those in their care.
Starting now, they can apply for $110 million in reimbursement funds through the Emergency Food and Shelter Program.
U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar, of Laredo, helped secure the ESFP funding through the American Rescue Plan that goes directly to local governments and nonprofits.
The Democratic congressman who represents District 28 said during the 2014 surge, “The state was getting money, but they did not want to pass that on to the local government.”
President Joe Biden participates virtually in the CEO Summit on Semiconductor and Supply Chain Resilience in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, April 12, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
At first glance, a White House proposal aimed at improving infrastructure and creating jobs might not seem like a natural topic of discussion for Catholic leaders. But the American Jobs Plan, a set of proposals that includes spending about $2.3 trillion to improve traditional infrastructure, plus expand access to broadband internet, install lead-free water pipes and bolster homecare nursing, has some Catholic theologians and activists hoping pressing societal issues might soon be addressed.
April 13, 2021
Felician Sister Maria Louise Edwards visits a homeless man in Pomona, Calif., March 4, 2019. (CNS photo/ Elliott Cramer, courtesy Felician Sisters)
As the pandemic provoked shutdowns across the United States in March 2020, Jason s stress level began to climb.
He had to handle cash as an essential employee selling car parts at an AutoZone in McKinney, Texas, a state with no mask mandate. His precarious health asthma, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies put him at a higher risk of serious illness should he contract COVID-19.
As his hours dwindled at work, Jason s ability to pay his bills began to depend on the opportunity to mow someone s grass for quick cash or sell whatever he could find that was sitting in his garage: the tools he still needed, or the motorcycle, which was worth twice what he sold it for. Then last June 8 he lost his job.
Apr. 13, 2021 Catholic News Service As the pandemic provoked shutdowns across the United States in March 2020, Jason s stress level began to climb. He had to handle cash as an essential employee selling car parts at an AutoZone in McKinney, Texas, a state with no mask mandate. His precarious health asthma, sarcoidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, allergies put him at a higher risk of serious illness should he contract COVID-19. As his hours dwindled at work, Jason s ability to pay his bills began to depend on the opportunity to mow someone s grass for quick cash or sell whatever he could find that was sitting in his garage: the tools he still needed, or the motorcycle, which was worth twice what he sold it for. Then last June 8 he lost his job.
The group also emphasized the need for vaccine equity in the United States and around the world.
âThis is a clarion call for us to act,â said Mercy Sister Mary Haddad, president and CEO of the Catholic Health Association, noting the significance of announcing formation of the group on World Health Day and stressing the role faith-based providers can play as the world makes initial steps to recover from the global pandemic.
She said the pandemic has shown us that âwe are so interconnected as a global community; we canât just act in isolation.â
Sister Haddad said this new coalition represents all social ministries of the church coming together and is a chance to elevate the work they do and to show how they serve everyone, not just the Catholic population.