Community Dive: Being neighborly

This might go without saying, but people leave their countries for countless reasons, whether it be to escape war, persecution, natural disasters, or simply to seek better opportunities for their families. At the end of the day, this planet is ours to share.

Since DiveIn is headquartered in California, home to one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, we thought we’d use this month’s Community Dive to share a few ways to support your neighbors, regardless of their citizenship status.

Support the movement

Now, more than ever, organizations fighting for justice for immigrants need your support. Many immigrants depend on nonprofits for critical resources and for advocating for policies that protect them and their families. Here are some incredible organizations on the ground making a real impact today.

• RAICES
• International Rescue Committee
• Women’s Refugee Commission
• ACLU
• Immigrant Families Together

Knowledge is power
It’s never too late to study the long history of immigration in the U.S., learn about the apprehensions at the border, or understand the timeline of the recent family separation policy. It’s also important to research your elected officials’ stance on these issues and see how they may impact you or your neighbors' day-to-day lives. And, if you learn something you don’t like, leave your representative a message. Need a script? We've got you covered.

Exercise your right
We can’t talk about elected officials and not talk about voting. If you need to register, do that here. Have friends who say things like, “the decisions that politicians make don’t really affect me directly” or “my vote won’t make a difference”? First, tell them that they’re crazy. Second, remind them that every single aspect of their life is affected by politics, whether they like it or not. Third, help them register to vote if they haven’t already! So yeah… we’ll see you at the polls in 2020!

Share supplies (and airline miles!)

Material donations can be critical for immigrants recently released from detention centers. Organizations like the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants and No More Deaths accept donations of toiletries, canned food, and other non-perishable items. And yes, we said airline miles. By donating your unused miles to Miles4Migrants you can help families reconnect with their loved ones without undue financial hardship. Skip a trip, change a life.

And if you guessed volunteer...
You're in the right place. Check out Stand With Immigrants to connect with activists on the ground and learn how you can take part in the next march toward justice. For something more hands-on, the International Rescue Committee has an extensive database of volunteer opportunities across the country. If you’re here in the Bay Area, The Women’s Buildingis always looking for an extra set of hands (bonus points if you’re bilingual!)

Shameless Plug
And later this month, you can also find volunteer opportunities and meaningful events in your own backyard with our app! Just set your care & cause filter to “Immigration” and instantly find opportunities near you. Keep an eye out for an email from us later this month to download as soon as we hit the app stores.

But wait, there's more
Here are a few more ways you can make a difference:

• Help detained immigrants post bail through the National Bond Fund or Fianza Fund
• Visit a Detention Center in a show of solidarity with Freedom for Immigrants
• Become a good neighbor with Miry's List and support their crowdsourced opportunities to help new refugee families meet their basic needs when they arrive in the U.S.

Don't hold out on us!
Want to make sure your favorite nonprofit is on our radar? Well, to start, you should definitely forward our newsletter to them (we left you a handy link right below). Next, you should drop us a quick note at nonprofits@divein.app. We're happy to introduce ourselves and see how we can raise awareness about their cause in future newsletters!

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