The Los Niños Fund

The Los Niños Fund was established

to provide humanitarian relief to local

families with children who have been

affected by immigration raids.

Supporting humanitarian relief to children in Whatcom County

Committee Advised Fund

What is the Los NiÑos FuNd?

more

The Los Niños FundQ: Who is eligible for assistance through the Los Niños Fund?

a: The Fund supports organizations providing assistance to households with children:

1. ) of families residing locally with member(s) detained in an immigration raid, and

2. ) with sole parents or caretakers or single- income parents or caretakers.

Q: What are the granting priorities of this fund?

a: Housing, energy assistance, transportation, outreach services and food.

Q: Who are the Community Partners associated with this fund?

a:

1. ) Community to Community Development: Outreach

2. ) Catholic Community Services: Resource distribution

3. ) Whatcom Community Foundation: Fund Holder

Q: has this type of fund worked elsewhere?

a: The Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts (CFSEMA) established the New Bedford Immigrant Families/Niños Fund in response to an immigration raid in 2007. CFSEMA has granted more than $200,000 to support over 100 families with children that were affected by this raid. Thanks to CFSEMA’s invaluable counsel, Whatcom County has an efficient and effective means of providing humanitarian aid to eligible families.

Los NiÑos FuNd FaQ’s

Yes! I would like to support the Los Niños Fund of the Whatcom Community Foundation.

❑ $10,000 ❑ $500

❑ $5,000 ❑ $250 ❑ $2,500 ❑ $100

❑ $1,000 ❑ Other

❑ My check (payable to Whatcom Community Foundation) is enclosed. Please indicate Los Niños Fund in the memo section of your check

Name (as you wish it to appear in donor recognition lists)

E-Mail Address

Address

City

State Zip Code

Day Phone

Home Phone

❑ Please do not list my name

❑ Please send me more detailed information on the various options Whatcom Community Foundation offers donors wishing to improve our community.

Whatcom Community Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible as permitted by law. For the Foundation’s independent audit, please contact the Foundation at (360) 671-6463 or wcf@whatcomcf.org.

WHATCOM COMMUNITY FOUNDATION 119 Grand Avenue, Suite A Bellingham, WA 98225 (360)671-6463 www.whatcomcf.org

WhY suPPort the Los NiÑos FuNd?Fund proceeds provide much needed food, housing and energy assistance for families affected by immigration raids. The Foundation accepts gifts and makes grants from the Fund as well as coordinates with various community partners to ensure that those eligible for existing programs are aware of their availability.

“Immigrants, regardless of their legal status, are often reluctant to access community services even if they’re eligible,” noted

Rosalina Guillen, executive director of Community to Community Development. “They are very aware of public sentiment and don’t want to be a burden. That makes this extraordinary effort on behalf of the children vital.”

historY oF the Los NiÑos FuNdThe Los Niño’s Fund was established in response to an immigration raid in Bellingham in February 2009 that affected over 30 children and their families. Upon learning of the raid, various organizations working toward social, economic and environmental justice at the local and global levels, contacted the Whatcom Community Foundation (Foundation) to provide humanitarian relief to these families with children.

The Foundation teamed up with local organizations Community to Community Development and Catholic Community Services to provide funds to these families quickly. An advisory committee was established to ensure that the purpose of the fund is fulfilled through the grant making process.

Los Niños Research> For every two people detained in an immigration raid, one child is left behind.

> Two-thirds of children affected by immigration raids are U.S. citizens and a similar percentage are under age ten.

> Immigration raids often adversely affect children’s psychological, educational, economic, and social well-being.

For more information regarding this research, please visit the Urban Institute’s website:

http://www.urban.org/publications/411566.html

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