Click here for the most recent updates on helping the migrants.

Update 10/11/22 - 

Last reports indicate that 1,500 migrants have arrived so far on buses to Chicago from Texas and more continue to arrive almost every day. It's projected as many as 10,000 migrants could arrive in the Chicago area by the end of the calendar year. So, there continues to be a significant need to provide a welcome for those arriving.

NIC refugee coordinator Rev. Jonathan Crail says World Relief still needs hygiene kits, while the agency has begun to provide direct services to some of the families and individuals arriving on the buses. Click to learn more.

"We are trying to mobilize volunteers quickly to meet needs," said Crail. "We primarily need volunteers right now to help with providing individuals and families transportation to various appointments (medical, legal, etc.). Daytime availability and a vehicle are very helpful for this role, but we do have World Relief vehicles and it’s possible that a small percentage of transportation needs will be in the evenings or weekends."

For anyone interested in volunteering, we encourage them to sign up as a volunteer as a first step (unless they are already a volunteer with the NIC), and list “Bus Response” on their volunteer application in the Volunteer Interests field.

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Updated 9/20/22 - More than 750 asylum seekers from Central and South America have arrived on buses sent from Texas since Aug. 31, according to the city of Chicago. In collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, the city of Chicago is taking action to ensure they have access to shelter, food, and other resources. 

The city expects to receive hundreds more migrants from Texas. Under the direction of Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard, the Lone Star state has also bused over 8,000 migrants to the nation's capital since April and over 2,200 migrants to New York City since August 5, according to the state's website.

Individuals and families are housed in temporary Chicago shelters and hotels in nearby suburbs.

Immediate donation needs include:

• Small size clothing (especially socks and underwear/sports bras)
• First Aid kits (Band-aids, Bandages, etc)
• Medications for adults and children (e.g. Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, etc) 
• Personal Hygiene items (toiletries, feminine products, etc)
• Duffle Bags/Small Suitcases

For a more comprehensive list of needed items see these websites:
City of Chicago - Chicago.gov/support
World Relief Chicagoland - worldrelief.org/chicagoland/bus-response
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) - download flyer 

NIC Collection sites for newly arriving Immigrants/Asylees

NIC Refugee Coordinator Rev. Jonathan Crail is organizing with churches across the conference in each district to serve as donation collection sites to be centralized locations to bring the items to the city.

Lake North District:

Galilee UMC, Highland Park
Church Address: 1696 McGovern St, Highland Park, IL 60035
Contact Person: Pastor Jake Cho
pastor.jakecho@gmail.com
617-678-5815
Hours: By appointment only (Call Pastor Cho) 

Glenview United Methodist Church
727 N. Harlem Ave.
Glenview, IL  50025
847-729-1015
Contact:  Ethel Doyle
lareth@aol.com
847-975-0361
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.  or by appointment (Call Ethel Doyle)

Lake South District:

St. Andrew UMC, Homewood
18850 Riegel Rd. 
Homewood, IL 60430 
Contact: Carolyn Funk
shevokas@comcast.net 
708-957-1923
Hours: Monday 10-1, Thursday 10-2, Friday 4-6 

First UMC in LaGrange 
100 W Cossitt Ave.
La Grange, IL 60525 
Contact: Hattie Koher
youth@fumclg.org 
847-682-7896
Hours: Drop off box outside church office 9-4 pm (other times available by request)

Prairie Central District:

Aldersgate UMC, Wheaton
1753 S Blanchard Street, 
Wheaton, IL 60189 
Contact: Daniel Cochran
Cell 401-864-2441
Aldersgate.Wheaton@gmail.com
Hours: By Appointment with Daniel

Prairie South District:

Sycamore UMC 
160 Johnson Ave.
Sycamore, IL 60178
Contact: Debbie Elleson
815-895-9113
Debbie@sycamoreumc.org
Drop Off Hours: M-F, 10-2

Sugar Grove UMC
176 Main St.
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Contact: Rev. Tammy Scott 
630-254-4127 
revtammyscott@gmail.com
Office open Mondays & Thursdays 8:30-Noon. 
Bin located near rear entrance for after hours donations! 

Channahon UMC 
24751 West Eames St.
Channahon, IL 60410 
Contact: Lana Stafford
lantwin@sbcglobal.net
(815) 467-5275 
Drop Off Hours: T-F 9:00 to 1:00
Saturday by appt

Prairie North District:

Faith UMC, Freeport
1440 S. Walnut Ave. Freeport, IL 61032
Contact: Lisa Hunziker
815-232-6533
FaithUMC@faith-umc.com
Hours: 9-1 M-F

Chicago Donation Drop-Off Locations:
Rincon Family Services - 3942 W. North Ave, Chicago;  M-F, 10 am -4 pm
World Relief Chicagoland - 3507 W Lawrence Ave. Chicago, IL 60625, M&W, 10 am - 3 pm
World Relief Chicagoland - DuPage County, 191 S Gary Ave. Ste 130., Carol Stream, IL 60188, M-F, 8:30 am -5 pm
City of Chicago Drop-Off Locations: chicago.gov/city/en/sites/texas-new-arrivals/home/donationlocations.html

Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed for donation sorting, distribution, and food service during mealtimes. 
ICIRR is coordinating volunteers and requests to register groups of people rather than individuals to limit the number of follow-up contacts needed using a Volunteer Sign Up Form at forms.gle/xH2a8cQSB9eHXAuH8.

The city of Chicago also needs volunteers - see the link at Chicago.gov/support

Legal Assistance
The Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors is helping migrants seeking asylum with paperwork and court dates. To support their work, visit nijfon.org.

Financial Donations
If we collect cash donations, where should we send the money?

Financial donations can be made online or by mail to any of the organizations directly assisting the families:

World Relief -- worldrelief.org/chicagoland/bus-response/
191 S. Gary Ave. Suite 130, Carol Stream, IL 60188
630.462.7566

Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) - nijfon.org/donate/
77 W. Washington St. Suite 1820, Chicago IL 60602
773.609.4401

Access to Justice - The Resurrection Project classy.org/give/427067
1805 S. Paulina Street, Chicago, IL 60608 US
312.374.4468

ICIRR (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) - icirr1.secure.nonprofitsoapbox.com/donate
228 S. Wabash, Suite 800, Chicago, Illinois 60604 
312.332.7360 

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