How can you help COPAL?
COPAL-MN (the organization we are directly supporting) is directing community members to the following organizations to support their vital work in Rochester:
1) Direct daily assistance for food, rides, and other family needs - send to MN50501-Rochester. Money sent to our Venmo or Zelle can be used immediately for shopping or other needs. All of our money and most volunteer energies at this time are being used in our mutual aid network supporting COPAL. MN50501 is a 501(c)4 nonprofit, so donations are not tax-deductible.
https://www.mn50501rochester.org/donate
*See also below for ways to provide direct donation of food and household items
2) Broader and more comprehensive assistance for Latino families in MN should be directed to the Immigrant Defense Network (IDN). Money donated to the IDN is used in a variety of ways, some of which include Constitutional/Legal observer trainings, rental assistance for families, bulk donations to food banks, etc.). As IDN is a state-wide organization, you can specify “Rochester” in your donation if you wish it to be directed locally. The IDN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, so all donations are tax deductible.
https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org/donate/
3) Broader assistance for food security in our area. We are assisted by Channel One to help ensure food security for COPAL families. This is not a transactional relationship. Channel One has their own funding to supply this food to our program – and MANY others in our area. They need funding, and are a 501(c)3 nonprofit with tax deduction opportunity.
https://www.helpingfeedpeople.org/donate/
4) Legal assistance for individuals subject to detainment and deportation. The Southeastern Minnesota Interfaith Immigrant Legal Defense (SMIILD) is a wonderful organization with more needs than they can fill right now. A donation to this group will be well-used to support legal protections of those who would otherwise have no voice. SMIILD is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation operating through fiscal sponsorship by the Rochester Area Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization.
Donations to help the families that COPAL supports can be left at the following locations in Rochester:
1190 16th Street SW #150, open Monday thru Friday 11 AM-7 PM and Saturday 10 AM-5 PM
2031 14th St NW, open Tues-Thurs 3 PM-9 PM | Fri/Sat 12 PM-9 PM | Sun 12 PM -6PM
832 7th St NW, Wed - Sat: 7 AM - 7 PM, SUN: 7AM. - 4 PM
Numerous area churches including:
Congregational Church UCC (974 Skyline Dr) drop off 9 AM-12 PM Tues -Fri
People of Hope ELCA (3703 Country Club Rd SW) drop off 9 AM -1 PM Mon - Fri
Christ United Methodist (400 5th Ave SW) drop off 10 AM -3 PM Tues - Sun
Hosanna Lutheran Church (2815 57th St NW) drop off 9 AM -4 PM Mon - Fri
Other groups in the area supporting immigrant needs other than COPAL
(this is not a complete list, but these are area orgs that we know are doing wonderful work for their community, and that also utilize the donations provided to the locations above).
Pamoja Women Providing support for East African women/girls. Very active mutual aid work including a food pantry and other efforts.
Alliance of Chicanos, Hispanics and Latin Americans (ACHLA) Grassroots nonprofit serving the Rochester area and southeastern Minnesota. ACHLA is in need of monetary donations to help Latino families, especially those with children in the school district, who are facing eviction or financial hardship. Also supporting food security and other mutual aid efforts.
We the Gente. Public charity that helps Latino individuals and families connect with education, career guidance, essential resources, and supportive services that improve quality of life and well-being. Currently doing a ton of mutual aid work.
Indivisible 507. Another local grassroots resistance organization also doing broad mutual aid work for multiple groups, including the ones listed above. MN50501-Rochester partners with Indivisible-507 on many efforts, and they are doing good work in our community.