Due to the influx of Cuban refugees, there are now two new hospitality sites:
-Roger Bacon Seminary 2400 Marr St.
-St. Frances Xavier aka San Javier 519 S. Latta Street
Roger Bacon will primary shelter single male travelers while San Javier will shelter families.
San Javier is directly across the Bridge of the Americas off Paisano. The parishioners there were asked on Sunday how they felt about helping out and their enthusiasm and generosity has been in high gear. However, it’s important to note that this is an older community with an elderly population. There is a strong need for volunteers at this site. We are asking the media to get the word out so that San Javier can best serve the refugees. A third hospitality site will be coming on line in the coming days and I will send you that info once the volunteers are in place. As the public continues to donate goods and services, please direct those drop-offs to either San Javier or Roger Bacon. There is still a great need for food and personal hygiene items. However we request that no clothes be donated. There is not space for the clothes or enough volunteers to sift through it. The GoFundMe account remains active. It is https://www.gofundme.com/2463ardg
We would like to thank Sun Metro for its generosity. It is now running a bus from 7pm to 7am from the ports where the refugees enter to the hospitality sites.
This is critically important as many of the refugees get processed after normal business hours and would otherwise be left to wander downtown El Paso in the dark looking for assistance.
It has come to our attention that there are reports of private transportation operatives who are working to engage refugees into taking a ride to their destinations with them.
We’re hearing reports that they are waiting for the refugees at the bridges to entice them to take a transport to the city of their choice.
The Diocese has no idea if these companies are vetted, insured and/or are otherwise legitimate.
We are working to ensure the refugees get to their destinations by using the Tornado Bus Line or Greyhound.
We strongly encourage the refugees not to use one of these independent operators.