Oh, For F*ck's Sake, People—Let's HELP Immigrants!

So, there's this totally rad initiative in Austin called Go and Do Likewise, started by local Episcopal churches, helping immigrant families seeking asylum find stability through short-term housing. Because, you know, Jesus was all about that good Samaritan life.

Newsflash: The need for immigrant housing is at a CRISIS level. We're desperate over here, people! There are about 12,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Austin, fleeing hellish conditions back home. And their journey here? Fucking perilous.

St. David’s Episcopal Church kicked this off with Casa Marianella, responding to the insane need for housing. Our mission? Help refugees and asylum seekers get apartments and cover initial costs for THREE MONTHS. After that, they're on their own. We've housed six families so far. BOOM.

We're working with the legendary immigrant shelter, Casa Marianella, because safe, affordable housing is a basic human right. Duh. With a stable home, immigrants can get self-sufficient faster and integrate into our awesome communities.

Here's how YOU can help, buttercups: Find apartments, co-sign leases, furnish apartments, support families, celebrate birthdays, and DONATE MONEY!

Asylum seekers in Austin are from all over—mainly Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. Most are Christian or Muslim. They face ridiculous hardships here, like lack of resources, complex immigration laws, and a shitty political environment.

Between detention and court dates, asylum seekers get ZILCH from the government. Go and Do Likewise bridges that gap, providing support because they had to GTFO of their home countries.

Casa Marianella is the ONLY immigrant-dedicated shelter in Austin. 65% of residents are asylum seekers, many from detention centers. When they've stayed three months, Casa Marianella helps them find rentals—that's where Go and Do Likewise steps in. They welcome 325 refugees per year and oversee 220 apartments.

Austin's housing costs SUCK. Our clients struggle with unfamiliar skills like leases, online rent payments, utilities, rules, contracts, and repairs. After three months, they can legally work and pay for housing. Finding low-cost apartments near bus lines in Austin's crazy market is a BITCH.

So, GET OFF YOUR ASS and join us! Email jim@stjamesaustin.org for more info or to help.

Rev. Jim Harrington is a human rights lawyer and priest at St. James’ Episcopal Church in East Austin. Doing Good Together is compiled by Interfaith Action of Central Texas, interfaithtexas.org.