UNDOCUFUND FOR FIRE RELIEF ACTIVATED TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF KINCAID FIRES

October 26, 2019

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: UNDOCUFUND FOR FIRE RELIEF ACTIVATED TO SUPPORT VICTIMS OF KINCAID FIRES

The UndocuFund for Fire Relief in Sonoma County is currently raising funds to assist the victims of the Kincade Fire, which has grown to over 25,000 acres.

 The number of families impacted is still unknown as the fires currently spread and more evacuations are being ordered. However, the impact is real and for undocumented families, federal help is not available. An estimated 38,500 undocumented immigrants live in Sonoma County. Unlike other victims, undocumented immigrants do not qualify for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

 Even when they do qualify for services, many undocumented immigrants are unlikely to pursue those benefits due to fear of immigration enforcement, lack of familiarity with official institutions, and limited English proficiency. At every turn, our undocumented neighbors face barriers and challenges to recovering from the fires.

In the wake of the 2017 Tubbs Fires UndocuFund distributed $6 million to nearly 2,000 families who lost homes, possessions and earnings in the fires. Many thanks to the hundreds of donors who made our work possible.

 With the 2019 Kincade fires we now call on you to help again.

Please donate at www.UndocuFund.org on our homepage

 For More information Contact UndocuFund Steering Committee:

Omar Medina omedina@me.com 707-318-6631

Christy Lubin christy@gratondaylabor.org 707-758-3672

Mara Ventura mara@northbayjwj.org 541-653-3837

Susan Shaw sshaw@northbayop.org 707-481-2970