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FAQ

 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SLO COUNTY UNDOCUSUPPORT?

SLO County UndocuSupport seeks to provide financial support to meet the needs of the San Luis Obispo County immigrant families who have limited access to support services during COVID-19 and other unforeseen local, statewide or national crises that have a disproportionate impact on the health and well-being of immigrant families.

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WHY HELP IMMIGRANT FAMILIES?

Immigrants, many of them undocumented, provide essential services that are the backbone of our regional economy. In the state of California, undocumented community members represent 10% of the workforce, and paid approximately $2.5 billion in state and local taxes in 2019. 

Undocumented immigrants are among those who have been hardest hit by the impacts of COVID-19. They do not qualify for unemployment benefits or other public safety net programs that are available to other residents. Even when they do qualify for services,  undocumented immigrants are often unlikely to pursue those benefits due to language barriers, fear of immigration enforcement, and lack of familiarity with official institutions. 

 

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WHO ORGANIZED THIS EFFORT? 

A coalition of nonprofit social services, local public sector leaders and advocacy organizations and individuals working with immigrant families came together in the midst of the COVID-19 emergency.

We have a convening Leadership Council which has overseen the initial stages of SLO UndocuSupport. (Organizations are for identification only.)

 

 

The founding members are:

  • Quinn Brady, Immigration Advocate

  • Becca Carsel, Health Access Training Project

  • Rita Casaverde, Immigration Advocate

  • Joel Diringer, Diringer and Associates

  • Lisa Fraser, Center for Family Strengthening

  • Jane Lehr, Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success

  • Erica Ruvalcaba- Heredia, Promotores Collaborative

  • Elizabeth “Biz” Steinberg, Community Action Partnership of SLO County

  • Wendy Wendt and Sarah Montes Reinhart, First 5 SLO County

  • Gina Whitaker and Mary Lynn Crandall, Allies for Immigration Justice, SLO County

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HOW ARE THE FUNDS DISTRIBUTED?

Donations are made through The Community Foundation. When funds are available, local non-profit organizations who provide support to the local immigrant population are invited to submit grant applications to the SLO UndocuSupport Grants Committee for review. In April 2021, six local organizations received funding for distribution. 

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WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SUPPORT?

Immigrants, including undocumented immigrants and mixed-status families, who are residents of San Luis Obispo County and who have experienced the loss of housing, job, or income are eligible for assistance. 

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WHAT IS THE REFERRAL PROCESS?

For questions regarding referrals of families who need assistance, contact our partner agencies (See Find Support page).

 

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HOW ARE FAMILIES HELPED?

Support varies based on the need of individual families and may include bill pay to vendors, gift cards or direct funding to applicants.

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WHAT IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND OVERSIGHT?

The Community Foundation and our partner agencies have supportive reporting and oversight systems in place to ensure fiscal responsibility. In addition, our partner agencies will report directly to SLO County UndocuSupport regarding the details of how families are being assisted.

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IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

Yes, your donation is made to The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, a 501(c)(3) organization, and is tax deductible to the extent of the law. Donation acknowledgement letters will be provided by The Community Foundation.

 

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HOW CAN I HELP?

  • Donate to the SLO UndocuSupport Fund to show your support of immigrant families in San Luis Obispo County.

  • Sign up for updates or contact SLO County UndocuSupport directly here.

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