Impact of Wildfires on Immigrant Communities

More than half a million people – about 12% of the state’s population – fled their homes as the wild fires burned more than 1 million acres in mid-September. Thousands of people have been displaced by these fires and hundreds of homes, businesses, and community spaces have burned. The Cities of Talent and Phoenix have been decimated, and reports indicate that Latino households in these communities have been disproportionately impacted. Many Latino migrants settled in the Rogue Valley in the early 1990s to work in the nearby pear and peach orchards. They are also the backbone of the workforce in the areas’ restaurants, food processing plants, and wineries. Many of them lived in multigenerational homes in trailer parks. They were already severely impacted by illness and job loss because of the COVID-19 health crisis, and now, tragically, hundreds have lost their homes.A while back I talked to you about the time-honored practice of “mutualista” in Mexican immigrant communities, a tradition of mutual aid. At the end of September, I witnessed this in action as part of a phenomenal mutualista effort to bring emergency resources to immigrant families displaced by the wildfires in Southern Oregon. I was amazed at how many individuals and community groups stepped up on short notice to procure donations of food, clothing, and other necessities; load them onto borrowed trucks; and caravan to Medford for a two-day pop-up distribution center at the Medford Chamber of Commerce. Over two tons of donated goods were distributed to close to 250 families. Members of ICS and Catholic Charities legal teams also provided legal consults to about 40 families. Other service providers and business owners distributed toys to the kids, provided mental health consults, and offered haircuts.

CLOCKWISE FROM THE UPPER LEFT:  1) 2500 tons of donated items. 2) Executive Director Frank Garcia finding shoe sizes for one family. 3) The list of needs for a family of seven. 4) The burnt remains of one homestead in Phoenix, OR.

The effort was a great example of nimble collaboration in a time of crisis. Nonprofit and fraternal organizations joined hands with local businesses to set up the distribution center on the fly, improvising and troubleshooting in real time. Employees of OHSU were joined by staff of ICS, Catholic Charities, SOAR, Oregon Latinx Leadership Network, Center for Nonprofit Legal Service, The Immigrant Mutual Aid Coalition, Lorenzo the Barber, and Bambuza Hospitality Group, among others. Knights of Columbus members volunteered and provided logistical support. Many of the volunteers were bilingual/bicultural, which served to increase trust, communication, and authentic connection with people going through a traumatic time. After our pop-up, myself and some ICS staff drove through the town of Phoenix to witness the destruction of homes and other structures, and we were left speechless by the loss of entire communities.The world is asking so much of us right now. I can speak from firsthand experience that mutual aid is a wonderful way to show up, take action, and ensure our immigrant neighbors that they are not alone, that we are all in this together. Here are some ways you can help.Mil gracias,Frank GarciaExecutive DirectorDONATE TO LULAC WILDFIRES RELIEF FUNDLeague of United Latin American Citizens is distributing aid to Latino families impacted by fires in Oregon, California, and Washington.DONATE TO THE 2020 COMMUNITY REBUILDING FUNDFoundation partners will leverage public investments with philanthropic investment to support rebuilding efforts.DONATE TO MRG ROGUE VALLEY RELIEF FUNDFunds go directly to meet the needs of people displaced by fires in the Rogue Valley.DONATE TO THE PCUN FARMWORKER EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDSupports farmworkers in Marion, Jackson, and Clackamas Counties. They are also looking for donations of supplies like N95 masks, bottled water, toiletries, baby wipes, formula, batteries, flashlights, and food.USEFUL LIST OF OTHER RECOVERY FUNDSThere are multiple funds for other communities and regions, United Way being the primary one in Lane, Douglas, Lincoln, Clackamas, and Marion Counties.