In Washington state, there were 3,441 new immigration court cases filed in December 2023, more than in any year prior since 2001. Activists close to this issue anticipate that asylum seekers will continue to arrive in large numbers. In a news conference to decry conditions for asylees, “speakers shared that many refugees and asylum seekers did not want to leave their home countries but instead were pushed out by violence, poverty and other problems they say were exacerbated by U.S. interference." Currently, there are huge resource gaps for this community including shelter and housing, legal aid, childcare and healthcare.

King County (greater Seattle area) recently allocated $3 million to shelter some of the most vulnerable asylum seekers. However, this is a costly, partial and temporary solution. The current situation has raised broader concerns with how the funds will be distributed and if support can reach asylum seekers in timely, needed ways.

This conversation is being echoed in communities throughout the Northwest as numbers of asylum seekers continue to rise across the region. This also has particular resonance as the nonprofit sector continues to consider the impact of government contracting practices and the need for reform to address critical community issues.

Join us for a conversation with activists in Washington to learn about how funders can fill gaps of government response, accelerate resources to respond to urgent need, and support the health and well-being of asylees as we welcome them to our Northwest communities.

Speakers

Lilliane Ballesteros, Executive Director

 

Lilliane has 15 years of experience working with nonprofits and community organizations to develop and implement funding strategies and advocate for program and policy changes. She is the executive director of Latino Community Fund to support and build statewide power with Latinx/e communities.

 

 

Reverend Jan Bolerjack, Pastor

 

Rev. Bolerjack is the Riverton Park United Methodist Church pastor, her church has become the home for asylum seekers in King County. Just over the past year, Riverton has helped find shelter, food and basic necessities for about 1,000 asylum-seekers of various ages, including pregnant women and toddlers.

 

 

Palmira Figueroa, Organizer and Consultant

 

Palmira Figueroa was born and raised in Mexico City. Palmira is a passionate immigration justice advocate, working and volunteering with immigrant organizations and making trips to our southern border – bringing solidarity and money to organizers who support refugees. She understands the power of community and of loving solidarity.

 

 

Ben Maritz, Affordable Housing Development

 

Ben is a former management consultant who is passionate about finding data-driven, market-based solutions to his home region's housing issues, including homelessness and newly arrived immigrants.

 

 

Rosa Puche, Community Leader

 

Rosa is an asylum seeker, resident of the Tukwila District and community leader of the Methodist Church. Rosa is an activist of social justice, equal opportunities and defense of human rights.

 

 

 

Daniel Vingo, Community Leader

 

Daniel is an asylum seeker and community leader at Tukwila Church and a political and human rights activist.

 

 

 

Background and Registration

The Philanthropy Northwest Network Call series takes place one Friday every month to bring an important topic to our network. The goal of these calls is to lift up an issue to our network of funders to deepen their learning, inspire action, and highlight where philanthropy might intersect with this work. 

These calls are open for anyone to join. You don’t have to be from a philanthropic organization or a member of Philanthropy Northwest, but please note these conversations are framed around philanthropy, and the role philanthropy might play around a particular issue.  

Registering for a Philanthropy Northwest Network Call automatically adds you to the Network Calls listserv. You can unsubscribe and remove your email from the list at any time. 

Accessibility 

Philanthropy Northwest strives to make our events accessible to everyone. On these calls, we offer closed captioning and speakers give physical descriptions of themselves in their introductions. The calls are also recorded and we share the recordings and other supportive resources within a week after the call. If you require an accommodation or service to fully participate, please contact JulieAnne Behar.