Ways to Help our Immigrant Neighbors
Our Respite Dinner community continues to remind us that small acts of generosity can have an enormous impact. Today, we have two opportunities to show up for our neighbors as they build safety, stability, and belonging in New York City.
Help a Family Turn an Apartment into a Home
One of our longtime Respite Dinner guests – a hardworking single mother whose son just graduated kindergarten – is moving into their very first apartment after spending more than two years living in a NYC shelter.
We’re hoping to surround them with community support as they begin this exciting new chapter. Below is a list of household items they need to make their apartment feel like home.
If you have an item in good condition that you’d be willing to donate, or if you’re willing to purchase one when needed, please add your name next to the item on the spreadsheet and include any notes about your donation. We will reach out to coordinate donations as the move-in date approaches and confirm which items are still needed.
Support a new venture & order homemade empanadas
Looking for a delicious way to support our Respite Dinner community? Place an order for homemade empanadas prepared by two of our longtime respite dinner guests, who are building a new entrepreneurial venture and sharing her incredible cooking with the community.
Empanadas are available in multiple flavors and can be ordered in packs of 6 ($18) or 12 ($36). They’re perfect for an easy dinner, snack on the go, or stocking your freezer for a busy week.
Every order directly supports hardworking members of our community as they grow their business and work toward greater economic stability.
Sacred Court Support: Accompany Immigrant Neighbors From Our Respite Dinners to Court
Immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza can be overwhelming—especially for people navigating a complex legal system in a language that is not their own. Sacred Court Support (SCS), an interfaith initiative led by B’nai Jeshurun, Co-Counsel NYC, HIAS, and St. Paul & St. Andrews, trains volunteers to accompany immigrant community members to court hearings and ICE check-ins, offering compassion, solidarity, and practical support.
Recent changes have made the court process even more crowded and confusing, and more members of our Respite Dinner community are being called to appear in court. No one should have to face that experience alone.
Volunteers are not expected to provide legal advice, and while Spanish or another language can be helpful, it is not required. SCS volunteers offer a calm, supportive presence, help navigate the courthouse, and ensure that community members know they are not alone. Just a few hours of your time can make a meaningful difference.
The next SCS training will take place on Thursday, June 25, and we hope you will join us in this sacred act of accompaniment.