Stay connected with the movement for justice, unity, and faithful witness across Massachusetts.
The Massachusetts Council of Churches has a long history of support for new immigrant neighbors. Our commitment even precedes our founding in 1902, through our predecessor bodies that provided direct services of pastoral care, feeding, counseling, literacy education, and housing to immigrant laborers. Support of, and ministry with immigrants is central to our Christian conviction to love and welcome the stranger.
On this page, you can find three distinct ways to be involved: Legal, Educational, and Direct Support.
Updated May 6, 2025
LEGAL
On February 11, 2025, the Massachusetts Council of Churches joined joined over two dozen Christian and Jewish institutions and the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection in opposition to the federal government’s rescission of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s sensitive locations policy, which violates the First Amendment and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, protecting our places of worship. Read the press release here: https://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025.02.11-Press-Release-MCC-sues-DHS.pdf
The Massachusetts Council of Churches Board of Directors and many Heads of Church expressed our shared commitment to stand with the sanctity of our churches and the dignity of God’s people. Together, we oppose the Department of Homeland Security’s recision of “sensitive spaces,” allowing ICE and CBP to enter churches, hospitals, schools and domestic violence shelters.
“Churches are houses of prayer for all people, as the Prophet Isaiah proclaims. These houses of prayer for all people are, and must remain, places where all people can gather without fear, intimidation, or threat of violence. All who gather in houses of worship must be able to do so freely, based on our American values and the free exercise of religion.
Read the full letter here: https://www.masscouncilofchurches.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025.01.24-Church-ICE-Letter-1.pdf
EDUCATIONAL
As Church leaders across Massachusetts, we invite each and every one of our pastors and congregational leaders who wishes to attend trainings to know their rights and protect their people.
You can sign up to order a Church-specific Know Your Rights poster here, with an icon of the Holy Family Fleeing to Egypt.
Watch the training with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office here
The Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General has issued guidance for providers here and a general immigration resource page here.
The Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ has gathered an excellent resource page here, including a sample policy for how a church can handle ICE presence.
DIRECT SUPPORT
At the Massachusetts Council of Churches we know that many people in many congregations feel a deep need to do something – anything! – to help their immigrant neighbors during these hostile & perilous times. Figuring out how to do this, however, can be daunting.
Time and again we’ve heard the same anguished question: How can we offer our gifts right now? We want to help but what should we do? Can you help us get involved?
The good news is that we can. Thanks be to God, there are many networks and organizations doing extraordinary, vital, and deep-reaching work with, through and for local immigrant communities across the Commonwealth. Below are a small sampling of these, focusing largely on Boston and the Metro West Area, Chelsea and New Bedford, though some organizations, like BIJAN serve all of Massachusetts. We are working on building out this network step by step. Please be patient as we expand in Central and Western Mass.
Every one of these organizations and networks is well known and deeply admired by the Massachusetts Council of Churches. It is our hope that a group from your faith community will connect with the one that is closest to you and start the transformative process of gathering your people and stepping up in whatever small, real way is best for you. We outline multiple, specific ways to get involved in each — both as volunteers and fundraisers. Take a look and find the best, most local fit for you.
If you would like to know more, have any questions, or would welcome a visit to your church from our Congregational Coordinator, the Rev. Cristina Rathbone – don’t hesitate to reach out to council@masscouncilofchurches.org Subject line: New Neighbors
Thank you and God bless!
Tina
The Rev. Cristina Rathbone
La Colaborativa — Chelsea, MA
For over 35 years, La Colaborativa has supported Latinx immigrants in Chelsea and throughout the Greater Boston are. They partner with the community to provide a wide range of resources to vulnerable community members, including newly arrived immigrants, undocumented families, non-English speakers, and low-income tenants and workers. Their many dedicated volunteers are the driving force behind their mission.
Volunteer opportunities at La Colaborativa include:
- ESOL volunteer
- Vocational skills volunteer
- Practice interview volunteer
- Job search skills volunteer
- Food distribution volunteer
- General volunteer and much more.
Click here to find out more: https://la-colaborativa.org/volunteer/
Donation opportunities at La Colaborativa include:
- Creating solutions for food insecurity;
- Providing legal assistance;
- Providing housing assistance;
- Education and community organizing in Chelsea and Greater Boston’s underserved Latinx communities.
Click here to find out more: https://la-colaborativa.org/donate/
BIJAN – Metro Boston Area
https://www.beyondbondboston.org/
BIJAN is community network of faith communities, individuals and other activist groups who work to reduce the escalating harm of our immigration system. Among other things, they provide accompaniment, which includes support in court or at ICE check-ins; legal referrals; rides for families to visit loved ones in detention, and logistical assistance with paperwork or bond payments.
They also run a Bail Bond Fund which they use to release people from ICE prisons in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, or those detained elsewhere who are from or returning to MA.
Volunteer Opportunities at BIJAN include:
- Writing Sponsor letters for people who are detained
- Join the help line for detained persons
- Join the help line for family of detained persons
- Join BIJAN’s weekly advocacy hour (group, online)
- Provide transportation to people who need it
To get involved with BIJAN the first step is to attend an online volunteer orientation meeting. Sign up for this here: https://www.beyondbondboston.org/join
Donation Opportunities at BIJAN Include:
- Donations to The Beyond Bond & Legal Defense Fund – a separate project incubated by BIJANwhich is a 501(C)(3). Learn more about the Fund here.
IFSI – Mattapan, Boston
IfSI helps newer immigrants navigate complex systems and empowers them to address their immediate and longer-term needs through person centered care, support and advocacy. Through their Family Welcome Center they ensure immigrants’ well-being by assessing each person’s situation individually and building a plan which includes referrals and provision of direct training, support and services.
Volunteer Opportunities at IFSI Include:
- Volunteer for English language Conversation groups
- Volunteer to be a short stay emergency host
- Volunteer to help with know your rights trainings.
Click here to find out more: https://airtable.com/app3XwkiLqIWjefMR/shrRn5lc2BfE1xa3a
Financial donation opportunities at IFSI include:
- Moving expenses for families moving into permanent housing
- Purchasing much needed items for families moving into permanent housing
- Providing funds for mental health care for clients….and staff!
- Providing packets of meal cardsfor families in transition
Click here to find out more:https://airtable.com/app3XwkiLqIWjefMR/shrRn5lc2BfE1xa3a
Donation of in-kind goods:
Help families with much needed items which you can drop off directly at IFSI.
For more, click here: https://airtable.com/app3XwkiLqIWjefMR/shrQgZ14fqPYFrtMr
Brazilian Workers Center – Metro Boston Area
The Brazilian Worker Center empowers immigrants with knowledge and skills to promote economic, social, political and racial justice for all. Through their Family Welcome Center they provide essential support for newly arrived immigrants including: Housing Assistance; Legal guidance on immigration processes and rights; distribution of food and essential items. They also co-ordinate, support and connect volunteer hosts with guest families in need of temporary housing.
Volunteer Opportunities Include:
Becoming a short-term host for newly arrived families awaiting entrance into the family shelter system.
Click here to find out more: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2252p4vclsja4t2yj812o/BWC-Host-Family-Frequently-Asked-Questions.docx?dl=0&rlkey=k6y409s2q370wufihy4qxdwyf
- Helping teach
- Work with children
- Assist in know your rights trainings and more
Click here to find out more: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScSz1gf8kps2I3sImYQ75lcO_iHnd-YqFN6ULen39WXS-W1YA/viewform
In Kind Donation Opportunities Include:
Children’s clothing (any age); Adult Spring appropriate clothing (light jackets, t-shirts, leggings). Baby/Toddler clothing (Newborn-24 months). Small Children’s toys-like hot wheels, crayons, coloring books. Hygiene products and baby products, both available on their amazon wishlist.
(The BWC accepts drop-offs Monday – Friday 9am – 4pm and Saturday/Sunday 9am – 1pm.
At: 14 Harvard Avenue, Allston, Ma, Floor 3. The entrance is on the left side of the building, feel free to pull into the driveway – also on the left side of the building.)
Humanity at Work, New Bedford, MA
Humanity at Work is a newly created network of community organizations, faith groups, and other activists who have come together to provide help and support to New Bedford’s Immigrant Community. Here’s how you can get involved and help them help others:
- Make a donation to Mutual Aidthat will go swiftly and directly to support New Bedford families directly impacted by ICE actions. Recent funds have paid utilities and phone bills of families whose primary earners are in immigrant detention.
- Attend weekly interfaith vigils on Wednesday evenings to show support and solidarity with our immigrant neighbors. The 5:30-6:30 pm gatherings will alternate between North End (Nye Street Pocket Parks) and South End (Thomas Lopes City Park) locations in the city. Contact vigilsforlove@use.startmail.com for more information and specific locations.
- Volunteer to sponsor someone in detentionso they can be released on bond. This is not a financial sponsorship, but a commitment to offer logistical support through your congregation or group. You can learn how to be a sponsor for up to 2 people per year through BIJAN.
- Offer online court accompaniment from your computer. Once you sign up and receive training from BIJAN, this is an invaluable service you can offer from home. You will log on to an online court proceeding and take notes for the person having the hearing. This helps those without attorneys present to keep their cases moving forward as efficiently as possible.
- Join our Mutual Aid movement and offer local transportation to school, court, or appointments; regional transportation to consulates or ICE facilities; or other logistical support as needed for impacted people. Email NBmutualaid@use.startmail.comto join.
- Learn how to take videos correctlyif you are a bystander to a police or ICE interaction. ACLU has this great resource
New Neighbor Support
If you would like to get more involved in supporting our new immigrant neighbors through advocacy, funding, or volunteering, please fill in this form. Someone will get back to you shortly.
