Now Launching:
Post-Detention Assistance Program
Mutual Aid Sanctuary is pleased to announce a new partnership with Casa de Paz called Post-Detention Assistance (PDA).
Through this initiative, MAS PDA volunteers will offer in-home assistance for one to three nights to individuals being released from detention.
What Do We Need?
We have four main needs:
1 - PDA Host Homes
Currently, the need for in-home assistance arises about 12–15 times per month. Our goal is to build a team of 20 PDA Host Homes.
2 - PDA Host Home Coordinators
We aim to have three to four coordinators available to receive calls from the Casa when there is a need for a Host Home and to relay that need to PDA hosts.
3 - PDA Resource Assistance
We may occasionally have need for additional resource support from volunteers to include: transportation, meals, groceries, language interpretation, and guest accompaniment.
4 - Donations
We invite you to consider making a donation to help cover expenses incurred by the Host Homes and PDA program. Donations can be made via the Mutual Aid Sanctuary website at: Mutual Aid Sanctuary, or checks mailed to Juniper Formation, PO Box 19541, Denver, CO 80219, with “MAS” on the memo line.
If you or your faith community can commit to one or more of these needs,
please respond by completing this form:
How It Works
When immigrants are released from ICE custody, they are immediately greeted by Casa de Paz staff via the Casa on Wheels (COW), which is stationed outside the detention center. People who would like some assistance are taken to the Casa home. Volunteers at the Casa home assist the guests with arranging travel to their final destination.
If it is not possible for the guest to travel that day, Casa will contact the PDA Host Home Coordinator to request in-home assistance. The PDA Host Home Coordinator will then send out a Signal message to all PDA Host Homes indicating the need for assistance. If a PDA Host Home is available, the Coordinator will relay the host’s name and address to Casa.
Casa de Paz will make every effort to ensure that once a guest leaves Casa de Paz they have a booked flight or bus ticket. If this is not the case, you will be informed in advance.
Casa will arrange for transportation of the guest from that Casa to the Host Home. Casa will also provide a welcome basket for each Host Home and a $25 gift card to the guest for meals during their travel.
The Host Home will provide transportation for the guest to the bus station or airport. If the Host Home is unable to provide transportation the Host Home Coordinator will reach out to the PDA Resource Volunteers to see if someone is available to transport the guest to their point of departure.
Please note that we often receive very little advance notice, so we completely understand if you are unable to host a guest on short notice. Eventually, there will be an opportunity that aligns with your schedule and you will be able to welcome a guest into your home!