In this moment of division, we must all come together to defend our neighbors.

Supported by United We Dream and the ACLU, the Defending Our Neighbors Fund is hosted by Abundant Futures Fund (a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors), and aims to raise and deploy $30 million to grassroots organizations to meet this crisis with action and care.

We, the people, will power this movement with small dollar contributions. Your donation supports trusted organizations providing legal representation and, when possible, bond assistance, to communities in need.

Thank you for helping us defend our communities at such a critical moment. Your support makes all the difference.


I just donated to Defending Our Neighbors Fund and encourage you to do so, too.

10% of my profit from a necklace I'm selling in my Etsy shop (RedCanaryDesigns) is donated to this fund. This donation is from Eddie Elfers, for our neighbors ❤️ 

We all need to be there for each other in any way possible. I want to make sure I’m doing my part. 

Because if we don’t have empathy and humanity and we do not love thy neighbor, then we are lost. 

In honor of due process and basic human dignity. Love Paul gilbrook jr. 

Welcoming immigrants is a moral necessity. Out of the Mattress is going a step further, doing the hard work of integrating Americans into the social fabric and ensuring they receive all the benefits of the society we've built.  

An urgent lifeline to local organizations providing legal and bond support to immigrant families and individuals who need it most.

**The Defending Our Neighbors Fund is powered by everyday people, like you, stepping up and building a vital lifeline to support our immigrant neighbors, loved ones, and communities against injustice.**

We all deserve to be treated fairly and with dignity. Yet every day, immigrant families are forced to navigate a complex and punishing immigration system alone, **without access to legal counsel**. Even young children, the most vulnerable members of our communities, are facing trained prosecutors without anyone by their side.

**This is why the Defending Our Neighbors Fund exists.** 

Today, there are more than 6 million U.S. households who have a family member at risk of detention or deportation. Right now, the federal government is funneling $170 billion of our taxpayer dollars to dramatically increase enforcement in our cities, all while slashing funding for legal service organizations who provide critical support for immigrants and make sure they have access to a lawyer. The Defending Our Neighbors Fund is a rapid-response effort to meet this urgent need for legal representation head-on, working to ensure families have access to life-saving legal support, and when possible, bond assistance.

**Access to legal representation makes a profound difference in whether families can stay together.**

As people's due process rights continue to be violated — affecting tens of thousands of people who are immigrants, children, and even U.S. citizens and green card holders — the need for legal counsel is skyrocketing. Studies show that in 2024, there were more than 2.5 million cases in immigration court where people did not have legal representation. Having access to a lawyer is often the difference between a family staying together or being separated indefinitely. 

To meet the ballooning demand in this moment, the Defending Our Neighbors Fund is quickly deploying high-impact grants to trusted organizations providing legal and, when possible, bond assistance to communities in need, this includes organizations that are:

- Serving communities with large immigrant populations
- Serving communities in legal deserts, and
- Serving communities near some of the country’s most active immigration detention and processing centers

**In this moment of division, we must all come together to defend our neighbors.** 

Supported by United We Dream and the ACLU, the Defending Our Neighbors Fund is hosted by Abundant Futures Fund (a fiscally sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors), and aims to raise and deploy $30 million to grassroots organizations to meet this crisis with action and care.

**We, the people, will power this movement with small dollar contributions. Your donation supports trusted organizations providing legal representation and, when possible, bond assistance, to communities in need.**

Thank you for helping us defend our communities at such a critical moment. Your support makes all the difference.

Defending Our Neighbors Fund

Giving immigrants the knowledge to navigate U.S. financial systems and build lasting wealth.

Most financial education fails immigrants because it doesn’t reflect their reality. Our practical, accessible personal finance program helps immigrants break the cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck and plan their financial futures.

**Vision:** We’re building a country where all of us, no matter where we’re born, have the financial skills to plan for the future, fulfill our dreams, and achieve lasting peace of mind.

**Impact:** Our pilot program has already helped immigrants ranging from 25 to 60 years old build the foundational skills to manage their money. 85% of students have opened a investment or a high-yield savings account by the time they finish the course. In addition, they have higher credit literacy and financial confidence, and lower financial stress.

Out of the Mattress

Inviolate Initiative funds and facilitates forensic psychological evaluations in immigration cases.

Inviolate Initiative increases the accessibility of mental health assessments in the immigration cases of survivors of domestic abuse and trafficking. Inviolate strengthens survivors’ access to legal victory and mental health as they seek lawful U.S. immigration status. Our mission is to connect undocumented survivors to all of their own power, agency, and possibility as they heal from the cruelty they have suffered, and as they move beyond to continue building their own lives, on their own terms.

Inviolate is a fiscally sponsored project of the [Center for Transformative Action (CTA)](https://centerfortransformativeaction.org/index.php), an educational 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is legally and financially responsible for all our activities. 

**The Problem**

Undocumented survivors are among the most under-served, otherized people in the world, standing at the harrowing intersection of disenfranchisement based on socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, immigration status, sexual orientation, and gender status. Mental health care is a significant need for this population, with many traumatized by abuse. However, psychological studies show that mental health is historically not a “community priority” for this group, and foundation and grant funding for this need has been decreasing. Barriers to mental health care for this population also include individual survivors’ lack of financial resources. 
  
Mental health assessments carry an importance beyond psychological wellness. The assessments can culminate in thorough psychological evaluation reports, which serve as evidence in survivors’ immigration cases.  Through Inviolate Initiative, comprehensive mental health assessments are provided so that undocumented survivors can protect their own due process rights, present their immigration cases fully, and begin to heal and thrive.
 
**Our Approach**

By expanding access to psychological evaluations in the context of the immigration cases of undocumented survivors of domestic abuse and trafficking, Inviolate Initiative recognizes that assessing and documenting mental traumas and conditions is essential to due process and mental health. Inviolate partners with nonprofit immigration organizations that are providing legal services to applicants for immigration relief, supplementing their services with Inviolate’s mental health assessments and evidentiary reports.
 
**Our Team**

Monica Esmeralda Ahmad-Yee, Esq., Founder and Co-Director

Veronica Morales Mendez, Co-Director
  
**Advisory Board**
 
 

- Kathy Elisca Clermont 
- Nathilee Caldeira, Ph.D.
- Tara Mooney, Esq 
- Suryia Rahman, Esq. 
- Dalissy J. Washington, LCSW
 

**Contact information** 

Monica Esmeralda Ahmad-Yee, Esq
[monica@inviolateinitiative.org](mailto:monica@inviolateinitiative.org) 
   

Inviolate Initiative

Mutual aid organization supporting neighbors in Washington DC, Ward 2.

[Click here to join our newsletter to get updates and get involved](https://subscribepage.io/sHh86L)

What is Mutual Aid?

**Mutual aid is “cooperation for the sake of the common good.” It’s getting people to come together to meet each other’s needs, recognizing that as humans, our survival is dependent on one another.**

Mutual Aid is a practice and politics that emphasizes solidarity rather than charity. It means we recognize that our well-being, health and dignity are all bound up in each other. It means that we understand our survival depends on cooperation, not competition. In this particular moment, we see that our health is also dependent on other people’s health, and we can literally save each other’s lives. Rather than disengage and feel powerless, mutual aid allows us to plug in where we can make the most impact — locally.

Mutual aid IS...

- Getting people together in your community to provide material support to each other
- Building relationships with your neighbors based on trust and common interest
- Making decisions by consensus rather than relying on authority and hierarchy
- Sharing things rather than hoarding things
- Treating no one as disposable
- Providing all kinds of support, ranging from food prep to childcare to translation to emotional support, and recognizing the value of all of them
- A political education opportunity, where we build the relationships and analysis to understand why we are in the conditions that we're in
- Preparation for the next disaster (natural or economic). Next time around we'll already have relationships with each other and know who is vulnerable and needs support
- A great jumping off point for other kinds of organizing and movement work

Mutual aid IS NOT...

- Quid pro quo transactions
- Only for disasters or crises
- Charity or a way to "save" people
- A reason for a social safety net not to exist

DC Mutual Aid Network

The DC Mutual Aid Network (DCMA) is a grassroots community-led effort looking to take care of each other and keep our city as safe as possible.

- DCMA is a decentralized, community-led effort, so there is no single group that runs the network.
- There are autonomous groups for Wards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Wards 7 & 8 are served together by one group.
- The DCMA Network is governed by the ward groups on topics of social media, website, fundraising, etc. The groups also share resources, best practices and offer referrals to other groups.

Ward 2 Efforts

Ward 2 Mutual Aid is part of the larger DCMA Network. Our concrete activities are:

- **Hotline** - Volunteers staff our warmline, where Ward 2 residents can call and request assistance.
- **Groceries** - We provide a grocery bag delivery to ~150 families that request it through our hotline or building captains. The bags include fresh produce, protein, dry goods, and requested household items.
- **Encampment Outreach** - We organize a supply drop to ~120 unhoused neighbors.
- **Building captains** - We organize with local residents to utilize their leadership and relational networks. Building captains check on neighbors, relay needs, and assist with food donations and distribution.
- **Back to school** - We organize with local parents to host a book and clothing swap.
- **Support for high risk/immuno-compromised individuals** - We have been partnering with local public housing buildings to drop off cleaning supplies, masks, and groceries.

[Click here to join our newsletter to get updates and get involved](https://opencollective.com/redirect?url=https%3A%2F%2Fsubscribepage.io%2FsHh86L).

Ward 2 Mutual Aid

The Guatemalan-Maya Center Inc is a nonprofit organization focused on human and civil rights and advocacy.

Our story begins with **Father Frank O'Loughlin**, our Executive Director, whose unwavering dedication to migrant workers spans over 50 years of advocacy and service.

​Father Frank’s journey with the Mayan people began in the early 1980s, when he served as a parish priest in Indiantown, Florida. During this time, he encountered Mayan migrant workers who were not just laborers, but refugees escaping the horrors of the Guatemalan genocide, seeking sanctuary and a new life.

​Before this, in the 1970s, Father Frank was deeply involved in the farmworker movement alongside Cesar Chavez. Inspired by Chavez’s tireless fight for justice, Father Frank worked in solidarity with the United Farm Workers, advocating for fair wages and better conditions for migrant workers. This experience strengthened his lifelong commitment to standing with marginalized communities and fighting for their rights.

In 1992, this powerful connection led to the founding of the Guatemalan-Maya Center. Our mission was clear from the start: to assist, advocate for, and provide services to Maya refugees and others in need, focusing on areas such as education, health, immigration, cultural continuity, and family preservation. We honor and support the Maya culture as we embrace the new environments in which we all live, empowering families to thrive in their new homes.

​Our work has always been rooted in advocacy for the inalienable rights that belong to every human being. We stand for the belief that the Maya, like all people, have the right to spiritually live in peace and dignity.

​What began with a commitment to providing prenatal care for indigenous women in Palm Beach County has grown into a network of support for an ever-evolving community. Over the years, our programs have expanded, addressing the emerging needs of over 1,000 families every month, representing more than 28 countries. With a deep focus on family, we continue to create a place of support, empowerment, and hope, grounded in compassion, solidarity, and a shared commitment to justice for all.

The Guatemalan-Maya Center, Inc

An interfaith network of congregations in the Washington, D.C. area working together to support our immigrant neighbors.

CAN mobilizes people of faith and faith communities throughout the DC metro area to advocate and organize for immigration rights. Our goal is to ensure immigrants have access to housing, healthcare, education, food, and legal protections. We work closely with experienced immigration groups and listen to immigrants from our faith communities to create a safe, welcoming place for everyone, no matter where they're from.

Congregation Action Network

Building collective power to transform early childhood systems in Washington state.

Pathwaves WA creates pathways for leaders of color to hold decision-making roles in early childhood systems so they can equitably drive and shape the design of policies that affect future generations of our kids and our communities.

Pathwaves Washington

To alleviate hunger in Lincoln County by distributing healthy, nutritious food to our agency network & education empowerment.

Food Share of Lincoln County is one of 21 regional food banks in the Oregon Food Bank network.  Food Share of Lincoln County distributes food to its network of  local emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, produce drops, senior food box home delivery and other assistance agencies in addition to facilitating cooking classes and farmers' market tours..

Food Share of Lincoln County

Open Doors English is an English as a Second Language Program for adults in Ithaca, NY. All students are welcome!

Open Doors English's mission is to “offer English classes so that adults can participate fully in community life, advocate and care for themselves and their families, and pursue their goals.” Our student body is comprised of immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, farm workers, and temporary residents. All students are welcome, and ODE has served 200-300 students per year since opening in 2019. 

At Open Doors English, students:
- Develop or improve their ability to speak, read, write, and listen in English
- Build the confidence needed to communicate effectively in everyday life situations.
- Learn communication and language skills to perform in current and future jobs
- Acquire advanced language skills and training to pursue educational opportunities
- Increase their understanding of American culture and society
- Receive assistance and make connections to other community resources and agencies
- Connect with people, organizations, and events in the Ithaca area
- Have fun while learning
- Find belonging in a community of international friends

Open Doors English is a project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which accepts all funds on our behalf.

Open Doors English

New Hope Community Ministries is a faith-based NPO serving low-income residents in Haledon & Prospect Park, NJ. All are welcome.

**New Hope Community Ministries** is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering low-income families in Haledon and Prospect Park, NJ. We believe in holistic transformation—providing **food security, financial assistance, education, and supportive community programs** that equip individuals to thrive.

Through our **Food Pantry and The Harvest buying club**, we address food insecurity by offering nutritious options at no cost or reduced prices. Our **financial assistance programs** help families navigate crises, while **education and mentoring initiatives** provide essential skills for long-term success. We also foster **community connections** through support groups, case management, and resource navigation.

With your support, we can continue **feeding families, stabilizing households, and empowering individuals** to build a brighter future. Every donation fuels real change—providing food, resources, and hope to those who need it most. **Join us in making a lasting impact!**

New Hope Community Ministries

We aim to advance the mental wellbeing of our South Asian community.

In 2021, during their freshman year of college, our founders Ravi Parekh and Aaron Pandian suffered the loss of their close friend and roommate, Farhan, in a tragic murder-suicide where he took the lives of himself and his family. 

Farhan was struggling with a variety of inadequately treated mental illnesses. However, like so many members of the South Asian-American community, his parents simply lacked the tools, resources, and education necessary for providing him the care he needed.

They recognized that, as an immigrant South Asian family, they lacked the tools, resources, and education necessary for providing Farhan the care he needed. The tragedy of Farhan and his family revealed that there are many mental health issues unique to the cultural characteristics of South Asians. Understanding that these environmental factors and structural barriers to effective care created the situation which led to this tragedy, we theorized a youth-led grass-roots advocacy and education initiative that equips South Asian youth and other interested parties with access to tools and resources to understand, process, and empower.

Grass-roots efforts are often inspired by lived experiences. Our passion and drive to bridge the gaps in mental health care for South Asian individuals stem from our lived experiences.

Knowledge is empowering, and part of understanding mental health is to both learn and express empathy for those affected who are unable to receive effective care. To learn not to fear mental illness as a sibling, parent, friend, significant other, or affected individual and employ newly acquired tools that work to connect with the resources they need. 

MHISA embodies these ideals and provides us an outlet to engage those around us with a shared goal: to enable South Asians struggling with mental illness to lead better and healthful lives.

Mental Health Initiative for South Asians

SIPA enriches and empowers generations of Pilipino Americans and others in Historic Filipinotown and throughout Los Angeles.

SIPA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization serving Historic Filipinotown and other neighborhoods throughout Greater Los Angeles County. SIPA produces programs for youth and families including case management and counseling, after school programs, senior programs, small business development, cultural enrichment, and affordable housing.


Search To Involve Pilipino Americans

TimeBanks.Org advances the common good with TimeBank communities throughout the globe by addressing the needs of your community.

In the last 2 decades, communities around the world have discovered a new kind of currency where everyone can give and receive.  TimeBanking is a modern system of exchange where members pool their talents, skills and passions and exchange them for the currency of TIME.  One hour equals one time credit no matter the service.  TimeBanks.Org helps these communities thrive by offering training, support and cutting-edge timebanking software, and provides the infrastructure for the worldwide movement.

TimeBanks.Org

148788709

1578280819

1873740264

188270313

2052641908

2088874155

We are a nonprofit, so instead of charging fees we rely on the generosity of donors like you.

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Defending Our Neighbors Fund

Defending Our Neighbors Fund

Defending Our Neighbors Fund

Defending Our Neighbors Fund

Defending Our Neighbors Fund

Out of the Mattress

Immigrants