Upon a client’s arrival at La Posada Providencia, Case Manager Jorge Camarillo gathers information detailing their needs and, from that, creates an individualized plan with goals and objectives. The client’s needs can vary significantly from one person to another. Some clients may already have sponsors in place and are simply awaiting travel accommodations (i.e., bus tickets or flights). Sponsors are typically family members.
Lately, the clients we are receiving are short-term clients; they stay 24 hours or less waiting to join their family already settled in the United States. Regardless of the length of stay, La Posada provides a comprehensive intake and case management service, including assessing needs, providing important travel information, and a list of community agencies located in their destination community. We dedicate ourselves to ensuring our clients make a successful resettlement journey, even if their referral indicates less than a 24-hour stay.
The recent arrivals of migrants due to the influx are in addition to the long-term clients (stays are eight days or longer) that we shelter. La Posada stands apart as the only shelter in the lower Rio Grande that has the capacity to shelter long-term asylum seekers.
La Posada has responded to the influx of migrants thanks to our invaluable and dedicated volunteers. Volunteers help fill in the gaps when staff needs to redirect focus to evolving demands. Without their support, we could not accomplish all the tasks required to have an immediate response to client needs.
One of our case support volunteers, Olga Fernandez (pictured above), aids with client intakes and provides clients with a warm welcome to the shelter. Other areas we have received help with include shelter operations. Last week we had volunteers from Kansas City Christian School (KCCS) in Kansas. They worked on outdoor landscaping projects. After last month’s winter storm, many of our plants did not survive and had to be replaced. KCCS worked relentlessly to plant new trees, flowers and expanded the produce garden.
La Posada recognizes the importance of a welcoming outdoor appearance and values the healing nature it can provide. With the support of our community, we also have help sorting and organizing generous donations. All volunteer work large or small serves a greater purpose for our clients and contributes largely to the accomplishments and success at La Posada. All volunteer work and time are valuable. We wholeheartedly appreciate the overwhelming support our community provides and encourage continuous engagement.
Kansas City Christian School Volunteers