#KeepFamiliesTogether

Here are some helpful links and information for assisting refugees and immigrants, compiled by librarians from, ALA Thinktank.

 The Berwyn Public Library does not endorse these organizations. They are listed for informational purposes only.

National Organizations Who Help Immigrants and Refugees:

Human Rights Watch  Defends the rights of people worldwide, spotlighting abuses and bringing perpetrators to justice.

ACLU For almost 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States.

The Center for Gender and Refugee Studies Protects the fundamental human rights of women, children, LGBTQ individuals, and others who flee persecution, combining sophisticated legal strategies with policy advocacy and human rights interventions to advance protections for refugees.

RAICES (The Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to under served immigrant children, families and refugees in Central and South Texas. RAICES is the largest immigration non-profit in Texas with offices in Austin, Corpus, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.

National Immigrant Justice Center The latest information about the Dreamers and DACA.

Smaller Organizations Who Work Directly With Separated and Refugee Families:

Annunciation House Has served the migrant, homeless, and economically vulnerable people of the border since 1978.

Detained Migrant Solidarity Committee: Are committed to organize, educate, and act for more humane  policies, practices, and public opinion in solidarity with detained refugees. Dedicated to nurturing a safe and welcoming community for all, regardless of borders.

Las Américas Immigrant Advocacy Center Envisions a country where all immigrants have access to high quality legal representation based on the principle of justice and human rights.

ALDEA: The People’s Justice Center Works to provide a holistic approach to meeting the multi-faceted needs of the immigrant community members through legal, social, educational, and medical services.

Phone Numbers of Elected Officials:

DOJ Comment Line: (202)353-1555

Chief of Staff, John Kelly – 202-456-1414

Attorney General, Jeff Sessions – 202-353-1555

DHS Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen – 202-282-8495

Acting ICE Director, Thomas Homan – 1-866-DHS-2-ICE

HHS Secretary, Alex Azar – 202-690-7000

Acting Assistant ACF Secretary, Steven Wagner – 1-877-696-6775​

ORR Director, Scott Lloyd -202.401.9246

Koko the Gorilla

Koko the west lowland gorilla, who learned to sign over 1000 words taught to her by her trainer,  Penny Patterson, has died in her sleep at age 46.

Koko was born on July 4, 1971 at the San Francisco Zoo. As an infant, she was chosen by  Patterson to participate in a language research project. Koko showed an early aptitude for learning American Sign Language, and became a beloved international figure for her skill. She even created signs for words and phrases she was not taught.

In 1985, Koko was featured in National Geographic magazine, for her special relationship with a kitten named All Ball—the story of which is truly one of the sweetest and most pure expressions of love in our time.

Koko’s favorite picture book stories included The Three Little Kittens, and Puss ‘n’ Boots, .

                                                           Koko with All Ball

sources: Jezebel  and The Los Angeles Times