VOLUNTEER VOICES

Each post shares an AIDNW volunteer’s unique perspective and firsthand experience while giving their time and talent to help immigrants detained in and released from the Northwest ICE Processing Center.

Carla Moschetti, AIDNW volunteer

“Immigrants are Grateful for Visits in Detention”

When I started as a visitation volunteer with AIDNW, I was a bit nervous. I'm not the world's greatest conversationalist; I had no idea how it would go.
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Katherine Niall, AIDNW Visitation Coordinator

“Give Visitation a Try; the Experience Will Transform You!”

My interest in immigration issues was triggered by Joe Arpaio's reign of terror among immigrants and the fascistic “Papers Please” law (SB1070) passed by the Arizona Senate in 2010.
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Aviva Furman, AIDNW welcome center volunteer - white, middle aged woman with blond curly hair and glasses. She is smiling widely.

“The Best Volunteer Job I’ve Ever Had!”

I’ve had the privilege of being an AIDNW Welcome Center volunteer for about three years. I heard an AIDNW radio story, and I knew I wanted to get involved. This has been the best volunteer job I’ve ever had!
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Charnley Marsden, AIDNW information technology volunteer, a middle aged white woman with light brown hair and a big smile.

“Working in the office, I get to meet new immigrants.”

Not all AIDNW volunteers are out at the Welcome Center greeting released immigrants five days a week, coordinating their travel plans, or driving immigrants to the airport.
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Steve Greenheck, AIDNW post-detention accompaniment driver

“Their First Positive Impression of Americans”

Taking people to the airport to fly to their sponsor’s US city gives me an opportunity to talk with them and make personal connections. Tension can be released a bit in joking conversation enroute.
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Michelle Johnson, AIDNW visitation volunteer

“Lives Are Built Not Just On Our Actions, But On Chance Events.”

I met a man, originally from Mexico, who had been brought by his parents to the US as a 7-year-old child. In his thirties he was picked up by ICE in the Northwest US after a traffic violation and sent to the detention center because he was “undocumented”.
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Nanette Robicheau, AIDNW volunteer

“Welcoming Newcomers Lets Me Give Back”

As the granddaughter of “undocumented” immigrants who came to the US just before WWI, welcoming newcomers is a way for me to give back to the nation that has given so much to me and my family.
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