Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest
We support immigrant detainees and welcome them on their release
many ways to support
Donate Now
how you can help
Get Involved
learn even more
our events
What We Do
Our volunteers are outside the detention center release gate every weekday from 1:30 – 7 pm
waiting to welcome released immigrants
The AIDNW Welcome Center is in an RV stationed outside the release gate, and the immigrants know this is a place where they can get help.
We can arrange for their transportation to the bus station, airport or taxi, and when needed, we provide temporary housing until more permanent arrangements are made.
WELCOME CENTER
Our Welcome Center provides a safe, supportive environment until reunification with loved ones can happen
HOSPITALITY HOUSE
Our Hospitality House offers shelter to immigrants released from detention
VISITATION
We currently provide penpals to help end the isolation of detention.
PHONE ACCESS
When immigrants are unable to hear the voices of family and friends
Post-Detention Accompaniment Network (PDAN)
Volunteer drivers take released immigrants to the airport, bus station or to access local services
Tales from the AIDNW Welcome Center
News and Events
RECORD NUMBERS OF RELEASES!
AIDNW volunteers have been serving as many as 30 released detainee guests each day. Large numbers of immigrants requesting asylum are being brought to Tacoma's NW ICE Processing Center from the southern border, given a court date and released after a short time.
Our volunteers are working in shifts at the AIDNW Welcome Center from 1 to 7 PM Monday through Friday and sometimes later, helping guests plan travel all over the country to reach their family members.
This uptick in guests is straining our resources, and ICE has told us that this level of releases is expected to continue indefinitely.
We ask for your support. We are looking for:
- Additional volunteer drivers
- Welcome Center volunteers
- Supplies
- Monetary contributions.
our Amazon wish list and donation link here: https://aidnw.org/how-to-donate/
our volunteer application on this page: https://aidnw.org/get-involved/
You can also send checks to our office at 1915 Sheridan Ave Tacoma, WA 98405.
It takes a village! We are grateful for all of our community support.
2021 Newsletters
2020 Newsletters
2019 Newsletters
PowerPoint Presentation on AIDNW Services
Community Meetings
Join our Google Group
Join our email Google Group to receive notification of news and events, current volunteer opportunities and donation needs.
Next Community Meeting
9:30 – 11:00 a.m
Please join us for our next virtual Community meeting on Wednesday October 20 from 9:30-11:00,with Guest Speaker Mary Fontana of Annunciation House in El Paso Texas. Annunciation House is a volunteer organization that does similar work to AIDNW, offering hospitality, shelter, clothing, food and other services to migrants, immigrants, and refugees in the border region of El Paso, Texas.
If you are interested in joining us please email officevolunteer@aidnw.org and a link will be sent to you for the meeting.
Community Meetings are held every two months and feature a short presentation on topics relating to the detention center as well as updates from AIDNW. Community Meetings are currently held via Zoom. Here are recordings from recent meetings.
AIDNW Community Mtg August 18, 2021
Three presentations on the immigrant detainees held and released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center
AIDNW Community Mtg June 16, 2021
Guest Speaker Stephanie Murray, detention center post release coordinator for World Relief
AIDNW Community Mtg April 21, 2021
"Passages: Immigrant Experiences" by the artist Patti Kilpatrick and poet William (Bill) Fay
AIDNW Community Mtg September 16, 2020
Featuring guest speaker Sarah Jackson, founder Casa de Paz in Denver, Colorado.
AIDNW Community Mtg July 15, 2020
Presentation from Deborah Cruz, Anne Recinos, and Tonia Honeycutt,
How You Can Help!
Volunteer
Visit or greet a detained immigrant. Provide transportation or other assistance to immigrants staying in our Hospitality House
Participate
Come to one of our bimonthly informational meetings.
Connect
Join our email Google Group to receive notification of news and events, current volunteer opportunities and donation needs
Community Rewards
Link your Fred Meyer rewards card or Amazon Smile Program to support AIDNW
Link your Fred Meyer rewards card to support AIDNW.
Donate
Provide food, clothing, and toiletries, or make a one-time or recurring cash donation to AIDNW
Become an Immigrant Advocate
Recurring monthly donations help us enormously with operational costs
Our Wish List
Many needed items–and more–can be found on our Amazon Wish List